Torch-Burned and Spine-Broken... Stray Cats at Risk of Abuse

Stray Cats Suspected of Being Abused in Busan and Wando Found... Police Investigation Launched
Animal Abuse Crimes Continue Nationwide Despite Criticism of 'Lenient Punishments'
Controversial 'Animal Nth Room Case' Also Reduced to Probation
Animal Protection Groups Say "Violence Against Animals Can Lead to Vulnerable Social Groups... Strong Punishment Needed"

Cats suspected to have been abused by someone were found one after another across the country. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Recently, stray cats suspected to have been abused by someone have been found one after another. The so-called 'Animal Nth Room Incident,' which sparked public outrage, saw the defendant receive only a suspended sentence, and critics argue that such 'lenient punishments' have ultimately pushed animals into the risk of abuse.

On the 15th, the Yeongdo Police Station in Busan announced that on the 6th, a white cat with spinal and tailbone fractures and paralysis of the lower body was found in a residential area in Cheonghak-dong, Yeongdo-gu. Earlier, near a mart in Sinseon-dong, Yeongdo-gu, a Turkish Angora cat was found with its right ear cut off and wounds on its side. The police are treating both cases as intentional animal abuse incidents and are analyzing nearby closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.

Also, in Wando, Jeollanam-do, a 3-month-old stray kitten was found with burns on its face, raising suspicions of abuse. According to the Wando Police Station, on the morning of the 12th, a stray cat was found severely injured with both eyes and face melted in a field in Wando-eup.

The National Stray Cat Protection Union (Jeongilyeon), an animal protection organization that reported the abuse to the police, stated that a resident, Mr. A, who usually cared for the cat, found the injured cat and took it to a nearby animal hospital, where the veterinarian suspected abuse.

Hwang Mi-sook, the representative of Jeongilyeon, said, "The villagers usually fed this cat. It was a cat that was accustomed to human contact," adding, "The veterinarian opined that someone likely used a tool like a torch to hold the cat and deliberately set fire to its face."

Jeonnam Wando Police Station announced on the 16th that a stray cat found with burns is suspected to have been abused by someone.
Photo by Yonhap News, provided by Mokpo Cat Protection Union

The problem is that cats suspected of being abused have been found previously in this area. Representative Hwang said, "Last year, a cat was found with burns on both ear tips and its back," adding, "At that time, no report was made to the police, so no investigation or measures were taken, which seems to have led to repeated offenses." Given that cats with similar abuse marks were found in the same area, it is suspected to be the work of the same individual.

Despite cases of stray cats being abused in cruel ways, such as mutilation, occurring nationwide without interruption, criticism arises that the punishments for perpetrators are 'lenient.'

On the 11th, the Seosan branch of the Daejeon District Court sentenced defendant B in the 'Open Chat Gore Specialist Animal Abuse' case to 4 months in prison and a fine of 1 million won, suspended for 2 years, for violating the Animal Protection Act and Wildlife Protection Act. The 'Gore Specialist Chat Room' was a KakaoTalk open chat room where methods of capturing and mutilating wild animals and related experiences were shared. About 80 people, including minors, were in this chat room, and it became controversial when it was revealed that they shared videos and photos of animals being killed.

This case was later dubbed the 'Animal Nth Room Incident,' reminiscent of the Telegram chatroom sexual exploitation case. A petition on the Blue House National Petition Board demanding severe punishment for the perpetrators gained over 200,000 signatures within four days, stirring public outrage.

The prosecution initially sought the maximum statutory sentence of 3 years imprisonment for defendant B under the current animal abuse law, but the court reduced the sentence to a suspended prison term. In response, the animal rights group KARA held a press conference the same day, strongly condemning the 'lenient punishment.'

Jeon Jin-kyung, KARA's representative, said, "There is a problem with the court's perception that gave the defendant a chance despite knowing that animal abuse is an antisocial crime and handed down a lenient sentence," adding, "Strong punishment for animal abuse is necessary, and consistent sentencing standards for animal abuse crimes must be established."

An activist from the Korea Animal Protection Alliance is holding a placard at a press conference in front of the Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the afternoon of September 29, welcoming the revision of the Civil Act titled "Animals Are Not Objects" and urging stronger punishment for animal abuse.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Animal protection organizations argue that violence against animals can extend to socially vulnerable groups such as minors, and thus punishments should be strengthened; however, reality appears otherwise. According to data submitted by the National Police Agency to Lee Jeong-mi, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the Justice Party, regarding violations of the Animal Protection Act over the past 10 years, among those caught violating the law, 2,751 people (63.1%) were sent for prosecution, but only 5 were detained.

Assemblywoman Lee pointed out that a common trait among criminals who committed violent crimes is a history of animal abuse, emphasizing, "We must recognize that animal abuse can lead to violent crimes against people, such as assault and murder, and respond to crimes against animals as seriously as violent crimes."

Representative Hwang also stressed the need for strong punishment for animal abusers and that the recognition of animal abuse as a crime must come first. She said, "As seen in the verdict of the 'Animal Nth Room Incident,' the level of punishment for animal abuse offenders is very low. Since animal abuse cases are repeated nationwide, a level of punishment that can raise awareness is necessary."

She continued, "The reason crimes against animals continue to occur is that animal abuse is perceived more as a prank than a crime," advising, "The government and local governments should start small efforts, such as putting up banners, to inform people that 'animal abuse is a crime.'"

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