A total of 1,908 people were handed over to the prosecution between 2014 and 2018 on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act. (Image:Kobiz Media)
SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — Cases of animal abuse, which police have handed over to the prosecution as a result of indictment, have shown an upward trend over the past five years.
According to data submitted to Rep. Kim Byung-kwan from the Korean National Police Agency, a total of 1,908 people were handed over to the prosecution between 2014 and 2018 on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act.
When dividing the cases by year, the number of offenders increased from 262 in 2014 to 592 in 2018.
By region, Gyeonggi Province was home to the largest number of offenders, with 399 individuals sent to prison for violating the Animal Protection Law.
Usually, cases of animal abuse result in lenient sentences, and arrests are rare.
However, ever since a case in 2016, when a pet shop owner in his 40s was accused of letting 79 dogs die in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, law enforcement agencies have cracked down and offenders are now facing the full force of the law.
“Unlike in the past, a culture of looking at animals as part of the family is being established, but related laws and systems are still in a state of limbo,” Kim said.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
