Consecutive Prison Sentences for Abusers and Killers of Stray Cats: "Potential Risk of Disregarding Life"

Men in their 20s and 30s Sentenced to Prison for Violations of the Animal Protection Act
"Animal Abuse Repeated with Meticulous Planning and Clear Intent"
Over 2 Years Imprisonment, First Case of Animal Abuse Crime

On the 20th, members of the animal protection group "Animal Rights Action Kara" held a press conference in front of the Pohang branch of the Daegu District Court regarding the abuse case of stray cats. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Juri] Two individuals who abused and serially killed stray cats in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, have been sentenced to consecutive prison terms. Given that most animal abuse cases have resulted in fines, this is being regarded as an 'unprecedented punishment,' drawing attention to future legal rulings under the Animal Protection Act. The maximum statutory penalty under the Animal Protection Act is three years, and this is the first time a sentence exceeding two years has been handed down.

The Pohang branch of the Daegu District Court sentenced a man in his 20s, Mr. A, and a man in his 30s, Mr. B, who were indicted for violating the Animal Protection Act, on the 20th and 21st respectively, to 1 year and 4 months imprisonment with a fine of 2 million won, and 2 years and 6 months imprisonment.

Mr. A is accused of confining 16 stray cats in an abandoned fish farm and abusing or killing them, while Mr. B is accused of abusing and serially killing 10 stray cats, including hanging them along an elementary school route after killing them.

From January to March, Mr. A allegedly captured 16 stray cats using traps and confined them in an abandoned fish farm in Homigot-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang City, where he abused and killed them using weapons. Mr. A also repeatedly engaged in cruel acts such as posting images of the killed cats on social networking services (SNS).

Additionally, Mr. A is accused of threatening a citizen who reported these acts.

In March 2020, a warning message presumed to have been left by a serial cat killer was found near the student cafeteria at Handong Global University in Pohang, Gyeongbuk. Photo by Animal Protection Club 'Handongnyang'

Mr. B was indicted for abusing three cats at Handong University in 2019 and killing seven stray cats in the Pohang area from March 2020 to June this year.

Mr. B displayed the bodies of the cats he killed by hanging them on trees or ropes in public view and posted warning signs impersonating Pohang City authorities stating, "Do not feed the cats." An elementary school student passing by discovered the cat bodies and reported to 112, leading to Mr. B's arrest.

During the investigation, Mr. B was also charged with operating an unregistered motorcycle without mandatory insurance and illegally attaching a license plate found on the street to his motorcycle.

While admitting most of the charges, Mr. B partially denied the allegations, claiming that two of the cats were already dead.

In a previous trial, Mr. B read a letter of remorse stating, "I repent with tears and confess to Jesus."

The court stated, "Although Mr. B denies some charges, all are recognized as guilty based on evidence submitted by the investigative agency," and ruled that "the animal abuse was carried out repeatedly with meticulous planning and a clear purpose."

Furthermore, the court explained the sentencing rationale, saying, "Considering the cruelty of the methods, the potential risk of disregarding life, the high degree of blameworthiness for causing mental shock and fear to many people beyond just the animals, and multiple offenses including theft and property damage, punishment commensurate with the guilt is inevitable."

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