60s Man Sentenced to Maximum Penalty for Starving 1,256 Dogs and Cats to Death

The Court Sentences 3 Years Imprisonment, the Maximum Penalty for Animal Abuse Crimes

A man in his 60s who was arrested and indicted for starving to death 1,256 companion animals including dogs and cats was sentenced to three years in prison, the maximum sentence under the Animal Protection Act for animal abuse crimes.

On the 11th, Judge Park Jong-hyun of the Criminal Division 1 at the Yeoju Branch of Suwon District Court sentenced Mr. A (66), who was charged with violating the Animal Protection Act, to three years in prison.

The court stated, "The defendant collected dogs and cats abandoned from breeding farms due to lack of commercial value and caused their deaths by withholding food and water," adding, "Considering the nature and extent of the abuse, the number of animals involved, and the suffering of the victims, the culpability is very serious." The court further explained, "Although the defendant faced financial difficulties including a bankruptcy declaration in 2014, struggled to make a living solely by scrap processing, and has admitted wrongdoing and shown remorse, severe punishment is unavoidable," and sentenced the defendant to the maximum penalty.

Mr. A is accused of starving to death animals brought to him from pet breeding facilities and others since February 2020, after receiving requests to 'dispose of dogs or cats.'

Investigations revealed that 1,256 animal carcasses, including dogs and cats, were found at Mr. A's residence in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province. During the investigation, Mr. A reportedly stated that he charged 10,000 won per animal for disposal fees.

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