A dog that was buried alive in the bushes near an apartment complex was rescued by police. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – A dog that was buried alive in the bushes near an apartment complex was rescued by police.
Police officers were notified that there was a groaning sound coming from the ground. When they arrived at the scene, they found a Maltese buried in the ground. The dog was about 5 years old, white, and was wrapped in a bag. It was rescued and placed under the care of a nearby animal shelter.
Given that the dog had a collar around its neck and was neutered, the owner seems to have abandoned it, possibly because he/she had to leave the house for a long time or had difficulties taking care of the pet after it got ill.
The animal shelter described the condition of the dog when it first arrived. “The dog wasn’t moving at all. It was in such a bad condition, one might think it was dead. We administered first aid and sent it to a better hospital for treatment.”
Police officers were notified that there was a groaning sound coming from the ground. When they arrived at the scene, they found a Maltese buried in the ground. The dog was about 5 years old, white, and was wrapped in a bag. (Image : Yonhap)
Assuming that the Maltese was abused as well as abandoned since it was found in a bag and buried alive, police launched an investigation by checking CCTV footage of the area.
According to the animal rights management system run by the Agricultural and Livestock Quarantine Center, there were 4,983 dogs abandoned in May, 5,127 in June, and 5,559 in July, showing an increase with the approach of vacation season.
Officials say that the number of abandoned pets increases as the vacation season approaches, since some of the owners leave home for a long time with nobody to look after their pets. “The biggest reason people abandon their pets is just because they’ve changed their mind. Even though the registration of pets became a must, the number of abandoned animals has not decreased. We should realize the fact that the lives of pets are also precious, and stop unconscientious abandonment.”
Based on animal protection laws, the penalty for animal abuse is imprisonment under a year or a fine under 10,000,000 won. A fine less than 1,000,000 won may be imposed in cases of animal abandonment.
Animal abuse and abandonment can be reported to private organizations such as the Korea Animal Protection Society (www.koreananimals.or.kr), Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (www.fromcare.org), and the Korean Animal Welfare Association (www.animals.or.kr).
By Francine Jung (francine.jung@kobizmedia.co.kr)
