Pet Abuse Community Petition... Blue House: "Conducting Strict Investigation, Will Enhance Punishment Effectiveness"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Blue House responded to a national petition requesting an investigation into a community exhibiting stray cat abuse by stating that a "strict investigation is underway" and pledged to enhance the effectiveness of punishments related to animal abuse in the future.

On the 3rd, Park Young-beom, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, who responded to the national petition, said, "The city and provincial police agencies are investigating those who posted abusive content," confirming this stance.

Recently, videos and posts showing evidence of stray cat abuse were uploaded on internet forums, and a national petition demanding punishment for those who shared such abusive content garnered 250,559 supporters.

Vice Minister Park stated, "The gallery reported in the petition has now been shut down," and added, "A strict investigation will be conducted into charges including killing animals, abuse, and posting photos and videos of abusive acts."

He further explained, "From 2018 over three years, the police have referred 1,501 people for violating the Animal Protection Act and have strengthened animal abuse investigations by completely revising the investigation manual," adding that the perpetrators involved in the 'cat abuse open chat room investigation and punishment demand' case, which was addressed in a national petition response in February, are currently undergoing trial.

Vice Minister Park also introduced the government's efforts to eradicate animal abuse, including amendments to the Animal Protection Act to newly include animal abuse acts and strengthen penalties related to animal abuse.

The comprehensive five-year animal welfare plan announced last January will also be advanced with urgency. Vice Minister Park said, "We will promote institutional improvements to expand the scope of animal abuse and prevent recurrence," and "We plan to strengthen husbandry management obligations and enable punishments for violations."

For abusers, in addition to prohibitions on animal keeping, orders to complete treatment programs will be imposed alongside criminal penalties, and when abused animals that have been rescued are returned to their owners, submission of a husbandry plan will be mandatory.

Education programs on animal protection and welfare will be strengthened, including certification of such programs as part of elementary school character education to prevent companion animal abuse. Animal protection education programs for pet owners and a national education portal will also be developed and distributed.

Penalties for animal abuse will be reinforced. Vice Minister Park stated, "While penalties for animal abuse are strengthened and not lower than those of other countries, there is criticism that actual court rulings mostly result in fines, and we will continue to discuss establishing sentencing guidelines that reflect the changed awareness."

He added, "Furthermore, a revision of the 'Civil Act' recognizing animals themselves as legal entities rather than property is being pursued," and "we will do our utmost to ensure that ongoing improvements in animal protection and welfare systems, animal abuse prevention education, guidance, and enforcement policies proceed as planned."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.