A court has sentenced three individuals in their 20s to prison for firing a barrage of BB gun pellets at companion dogs in the yard of a restaurant in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province.

Judge Kim Eun-su of the Criminal Division 5 at the Busan District Court's Eastern Branch sentenced the three defendants, including a person in their 20s identified as A, to eight months in prison on charges including special property damage.

The court stated, "They trespassed on the victim's residence and fired a BB gun multiple times at the companion dogs, inflicting injuries, causing suffering, and damaging property," adding that the nature of the crime is grave.

The court also explained the sentencing reasoning, noting, "The suffering endured by the victim appears to be substantial, yet no evidence can be found showing any practical efforts toward restoring the damage."

The defendants are accused of firing an illegally modified BB pistol indiscriminately at two companion dogs in the yard of a restaurant in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, in June of last year.

One of the victimized dogs reportedly died after receiving treatment until recently, while the other suffered severe injuries requiring the removal of an eyeball.

At the time of the incident, two of the perpetrators were active-duty Marines.

The owner of the dogs stated, "We ultimately never received a genuine apology from the perpetrators, and there will be no settlement in the future."

An animal protection organization and the Marine Corps Veterans Solidarity submitted petitions to the court urging strict punishment, having gathered 120,000 and 100,000 signatures, respectively.

The animal protection group criticized the act, stating, "This was not mere animal abuse, but firing firearms at a living creature."

The Marine Corps Veterans Solidarity stated, "We do not recognize these individuals, who tarnished the honor of the Marine Corps, as Marines," adding, "We consider it fortunate that prison sentences were handed down to those who forgot their duty as soldiers."

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Lee Da-in | Design by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News