▲ Dogs discovered among piles of trash at an entrance
A 60-year-old individual has been referred to the prosecution under arrest for neglecting dozens of dogs in multiple apartments and houses covered in filth and trash, leading to the deaths of some of the animals.
The Chuncheon Police Station in Gangwon Province announced today (July 14) that the suspect, identified as A (64), was referred to the prosecution while in custody yesterday on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act.
A is accused of neglecting 52 dogs across five apartments and houses in the Chuncheon area over the past several years. This neglect resulted in the deaths of three dogs due to malnutrition and caused 18 others to suffer from diseases, including heartworm.
Investigations revealed that the suspect kept the dogs in unsanitary conditions filled with piles of filth and trash, without providing adequate food or water.
Police first discovered the site of the abuse on April 1 after responding to a report from a resident at 3:30 p.m. at an apartment in Hyoja-dong, Chuncheon, stating, "There is a dead puppy inside a house with the door left open."
Following a joint inspection with the Chuncheon City government of 15 properties owned by A, police confirmed signs of animal abuse. On July 9, they executed search and seizure warrants at five locations, including A's residence, and conducted health examinations on 45 of the dogs.
No separate examinations were conducted for seven puppies that were born as a result of breeding in the neglected environment.
After confirming the charges related to the deaths and illnesses of the animals, police requested an arrest warrant for A. The court issued the warrant on July 12, citing concerns that the suspect might destroy evidence.
A had previously faced numerous complaints and reports over the past decade for neglecting dozens of dogs in apartments owned by the suspect in the Chuncheon area.
In the last three years, a total of 27 formal complaints or reports via the e-People (Gukmin Sinmungo) platform were filed with the Chuncheon City government regarding A.
It is understood that the actual number of reports is higher, as phone complaints were not included in this tally.
With the suspect's consent, the city rescued 17 dogs from homes filled with trash and feces in September 2023, followed by another 27 dogs in September of last year, placing them under protective care.
(Photo: Provided by Chuncheon Police Station, Yonhap News)
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