Prosecutors have requested prison sentences for a group of individuals who stood trial on charges of firing BB guns at pet dogs in the yard of a restaurant in Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do.

During the final hearing held on July 3 at the Busan District Court Dongbu Branch, presided over by Judge Kim Eun-soo of the 5th Criminal Division, prosecutors requested two-year prison sentences for two individuals in their 20s, identified as A and B, who were charged with special destruction of property and other offenses.

A 1.5-year prison sentence was requested for a third individual in their 20s, identified as C, who was charged with the same offenses.

They are accused of firing illegally modified BB handguns at two pet dogs in the yard of a restaurant in Geoje on June 8 of last year.

It was reported that one of the victimized dogs died after receiving treatment until recently, while the other suffered severe injuries that required the removal of an eyeball.

At the time of the incident, B and C were serving in the military.

Animal protection groups held a press conference in front of the court on that day, urging for strict punishment, stating, "This case is not merely animal abuse, but a grave act of violence in which thousands of rounds were fired at a living creature."

The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on August 18.

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