Kim Dong-yeon, who saved over 50 dogs facing death, says "We will always respond if reported"

by Lee YeongKyu

Published 22 Apr.2023 08:55(KST)

Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province posted the following text and photo on his SNS on the 21st.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon urged active reporting after saving dogs facing death based on citizens' tips.

Following the discovery of 1,200 dog carcasses in Yangpyeong, Governor Kim ordered the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police to conduct an emergency investigation across the entire province.

On the night of the 21st, Governor Kim posted on his social media service (SNS) under the title "Citizens' Tips Saved Animals in Crisis," stating, "With the cooperation of citizens, we uncovered another case of animal abuse and saved animals facing death."

He continued, "Since the 'Yangpyeong Scrap Yard Animal Abuse Incident' on March 4, the Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police have been conducting crackdowns, and citizens' tips led to the exposure of a dog meat farm in Gwangju on March 24," adding, "Since then, 52 additional tips have been received from citizens."

In particular, he said, "After the investigation team responded and confirmed all reports, they raided a site in Paju early this morning where about 50 dogs were about to be slaughtered and safely rescued them," promising, "If citizens report, the Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police will always respond."

Furthermore, he added, "We will build an animal welfare Gyeonggi together with the citizens."

Previously, Gyeonggi Province has been focusing crackdowns on 'areas of concern for animal abuse,' including auction sites, breeding facilities, suspected slaughter facilities, remote blind spots, and reports of animal abuse complaints, targeting acts such as ▲causing death by cruel methods or intentionally withholding food or water ▲inflicting physical pain or injury without justifiable reason ▲violating safety measures such as leashes causing bodily harm to people ▲abandoning animals or capturing and selling or killing abandoned or lost animals.

Additionally, enforcement has been strengthened against illegal operations without permits or registration in pet-related animal production, animal funeral services, and animal sales businesses.

Under the current Animal Protection Act, acts of abuse causing death are punishable by up to three years imprisonment or fines up to 30 million won, while animal abuse causing disease or injury due to neglect of pet care and management duties, and unlicensed business activities related to pets are punishable by up to two years imprisonment or fines up to 20 million won.