▲ Stray cat (File Photo)
Police have launched an investigation into allegations that a restaurant owner in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, abused stray cats using glacial acetic acid.
The Changwon Jungbu Police Station announced today (July 16) that it has received a complaint requesting an investigation into three individuals—a restaurant owner identified as A, a shopping center manager, and a city official from the livestock department—on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act.
The complaint, filed by the animal rights group "Together Animal Solidarity," alleges that A sprayed glacial acetic acid on stray cats living in and around the shopping center between April and May, causing them injuries.
Glacial acetic acid causes severe inflammatory reactions upon contact with skin.
Together Animal Solidarity claims that stray cats exposed to the substance died, and one kitten suffered severe injuries, including the skin on its head being peeled off.
A is reportedly refuting the claims, stating, "I did not spray it directly; the cats simply touched the glacial acetic acid that had been placed there to prevent them from approaching."
In the complaint, the animal rights group also alleges that A and the shopping center manager rented cat-trapping cages from Changwon City, captured dozens of stray cats living in the area, and arbitrarily released them outside their territory.
Regarding this allegation, the group claims that Changwon City aided and abetted the abuse by violating guidelines for renting out trapping cages.
In response, a Changwon City official stated, "We only rent out trapping cages for specific cases such as rescue operations, and the cages shown in the photos do not belong to the city." The official added, "We have requested a police investigation into the group that first posted about this on social media for obstruction of business due to the dissemination of false information."
The police, having received the complaint regarding the violation of the Animal Protection Act, plan to investigate the exact circumstances of the incident by questioning the complainant and the individuals involved, including A.
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