CAMPAIGN CLOSED - Update on the Naju Dog Case:

On July 30, 2025 — during Jungbok, a day often tied to dog meat consumption — a senior dog later named Lucky was found bleeding from severe head wounds in Naju, Jeollanam-do. Initial veterinary reports and the timing led animal rights group CARE to suspect attempted slaughter and file a police complaint. However, CCTV footage later revealed that Lucky’s injuries were caused by another dog’s attack, not by human abuse. Still, CARE’s suspicion was entirely reasonable given Korea’s ongoing history of illegal dog meat killings and Naju’s entrenched dog meat industry.

What is most troubling is the response of Naju: rather than prioritizing Lucky’s welfare, its Animal Protection Team rushed to defend the city’s “reputation,” and pressuring CARE to retract its report. In reality, Lucky received only minimal care until informants intervened, driving him hundreds of kilometers for lifesaving treatment. His medical costs have already exceeded ₩4,000,000 KRW (≈$3,000 USD), and he now faces additional surgery — yet he is slowly recovering thanks to CARE and compassionate citizens, not the city charged with protecting him.

This case is a stark reminder that animal protection must come before image management, and that vigilance is essential to prevent cruelty.   Click HERE for the update on Lucky’s case.

We will now close this petition. Thank you to everyone who signed and supported our campaign. Please continue standing with us to help protect dogs and cats in South Korea from cruelty.

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Justice for Naju Dog: Struck with a Hammer, Left to Die — He Fought to Live

Find more ways to help: https://koreandogs.org/justice-for-naju-dog/

On July 31, 2025, the day after Jungbok—the second of the three South Korea’s Boknals—a dog now named “Lucky” was brutally beaten multiple times in the head with a hammer in a rural village in Naju, Jeollanam-do. Severely injured and left wandering bloodied before collapsing into a coma, Lucky was initially taken to a local government-run shelter that arrived about three hours later. However, the shelter’s care was far from adequate for his critical condition.

Thankfully, a compassionate citizen intervened just in time, bringing Lucky to emergency intensive care where he began his fight for survival. This brutal attack—likely linked to illegal dog meat practices—and the shelter’s neglect highlight urgent issues in animal protection enforcement.

We urgently call on you to demand justice: hold the abuser accountable, investigate the shelter’s negligence, and support Lucky’s ongoing critical medical treatment. By signing this petition and joining our campaign, you can help pressure the Korean government to take decisive action to end such cruelty and protect animals who cannot speak for themselves. Stand with us—take action today.

PETITION:

Justice for Naju Dog: Brutally Beaten, Left to Die — Prosecute & Hold Shelter Accountable!

To the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Korea and Relevant Authorities,

I write with deep concern regarding a horrific case of animal cruelty that took place on July 31, 2025, in Naju, Jeollanam-do. A dog, now named “Lucky,” was violently struck multiple times in the head with a hammer—likely in an illegal attempt to slaughter him during the Boknal season. Despite his severe injuries, Lucky managed to escape and was found wandering the village covered in blood before collapsing into a coma.

Tragically, when the local government-run shelter arrived approximately three hours later and transferred Lucky to their partner hospital, the medical care he received was far from sufficient to address his critical condition. This neglect caused him unnecessary suffering until a compassionate citizen intervened and brought him into emergency intensive care. Such failure is unacceptable and must be held accountable.

This case not only constitutes a grave violation of South Korea’s Animal Protection Act but also exposes systemic shortcomings in enforcement, emergency response, and shelter responsibility.

I respectfully urge your office to:

1. Investigate and Prosecute the Offender
Conduct a thorough investigation, secure all evidence and witness statements, and press charges under the Animal Protection Act against the individual responsible for this brutal attack.

2. Hold the Shelter Accountable
Launch an investigation into the government-run shelter’s delayed and inadequate response. Those who failed to provide urgent medical care must be held responsible for prolonging Lucky’s suffering.

3. Strengthen Animal Protection Enforcement
Enhance oversight of shelters, rigorously enforce animal welfare laws, and ensure that both perpetrators of cruelty and negligent officials face appropriate consequences.

4. Improve Emergency Response and Care
Increase funding and infrastructure support for shelters, establish clear protocols for abuse cases, and collaborate with NGOs to guarantee proper care for rescued animals.

5. Raise Public Awareness and Foster Cultural Change
Implement national education campaigns to reduce animal cruelty, eradicate illegal dog meat practices, and promote a culture of compassion and respect for animals.

Lucky’s survival is a miracle, but the cruelty he endured is a national disgrace. The perpetrator must be brought to justice, and the shelter that neglected him must be held accountable. We urge you to act decisively to prevent such cruelty and negligence from happening again.

An online petition is now active, calling for your immediate intervention: https://chng.it/YSZXyvgbVb

PETITION IN KOREAN:

나주 개 학대 사건의 정의 실현 – 가해자를 엄중히 처벌하고 보호소의 책임을 물어주십시오

수신: 대한민국 검찰총장님 및 관계 당국 귀하,

2025년 7월 31일, 전라남도 나주에서 발생한 충격적인 동물학대 사건에 대해 깊은 우려를 표합니다. ‘럭키’라는 이름이 붙은 한 개가 복날 기간 중 불법 도살 시도로 추정되는 망치로 머리를 여러 차례 강타당하는 잔인한 학대를 받았습니다. 심각한 부상에도 불구하고 럭키는 가까스로 탈출하여 피투성이 상태로 마을을 헤매다 혼수 상태에 빠졌습니다.

불행하게도 지방자치단체가 운영하는 보호소는 약 3시간 만에 도착해 럭키를 연계 병원으로 옮겼으나, 긴급 치료가 필요한 그의 상태에 비해 제공된 의료 서비스는 턱없이 부족했습니다. 이 같은 방치는 불필요한 고통을 초래했으며, 다행히 한 시민의 신속한 개입으로 응급 집중 치료를 받을 수 있었습니다. 이러한 보호소의 무책임한 태도는 결코 용납될 수 없으며 반드시 엄중히 책임져야 합니다.

본 사건은 단순한 동물보호법 위반을 넘어, 동물 학대에 대한 법 집행, 긴급 대응, 그리고 보호소 운영 전반에 걸친 체계적 문제를 드러냅니다.

이에 다음 사항을 강력히 촉구합니다.

1. 가해자 철저 수사 및 형사처벌
증거 확보와 목격자 진술을 바탕으로 잔인한 학대 가해자를 동물보호법에 따라 엄중히 처벌해 주십시오.

2. 보호소 책임 규명 및 제도 개선
지방자치단체 운영 보호소의 부실한 대응에 대해 철저히 조사하고, 긴급 의료 지원을 하지 않은 책임자들에게 엄중한 책임을 물어 주십시오.

3. 동물보호 법 집행 강화 및 감독 체계 개선
보호소 관리 감독을 강화하고, 법 집행을 엄격히 하여 학대 가해자와 방임 직원 모두에게 확실한 처벌이 이루어지도록 해 주십시오.

4. 긴급 대응 시스템 및 치료 환경 개선
보호소 인프라 확충과 예산 지원을 강화하고, 학대 사례에 대한 명확한 대응 매뉴얼을 마련하며, NGO와 협력하여 구조 동물이 적절한 치료를 받을 수 있도록 지원해 주십시오.

5. 공공 인식 개선 및 문화 변화 촉진
국가 차원의 교육 캠페인을 통해 동물 학대를 근절하고 불법 개식용 관행을 없애며, 동물에 대한 존중과 연민의 문화를 확산시켜 주십시오.

럭키가 살아남은 것은 기적입니다. 그러나 그가 겪은 잔혹한 학대와 방임은 대한민국 사회가 반드시 직면하고 해결해야 할 부끄러운 현실입니다. 가해자에 대한 엄중한 처벌과 보호소 책임자에 대한 철저한 조사를 통해 다시는 이런 일이 반복되지 않도록 해주시길 간절히 부탁드립니다. 귀 기관의 신속하고 단호한 대응을 촉구하는 온라인 청원이 현재 진행 중입니다: https://chng.it/YSZXyvgbVb

감사합니다.