The Changwon District Court announced yesterday (September 2) that Judge Jung Ji-eun of Criminal Division 2 sentenced a person in their 30s, identified as A, to eight months in prison suspended for two years for violating the Animal Protection Act by neglecting multiple pets without proper food and causing about 10 cats to die.

The court also ordered 80 hours of community service.

A was indicted on charges of raising multiple cats and dogs in an apartment in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, from November of last year to January of this year, but failing to provide them with sufficient food and water in a timely manner, and leaving them for a long period in an unsanitary environment covered in waste, which resulted in the deaths of 10 cats.

The court stated the sentencing reasons, saying, "The culpability is high as a total of 20 pets being raised were left neglected without food, leading to the deaths of about 10 of them," while adding that it took into consideration factors such as the defendant admitting to the crimes, showing remorse, and having no prior record of similar punishments.

(Photo: Yonhap News)