🐾 Justice for Jinsooni and Daejeon’s Neglected Dogs

In Sintanjin, Daedeok District, Daejeon, South Korea, 10 dogs are suffering from severe neglect and abuse. One dog, Jinsooni, was found with her leg grotesquely swollen, tightly bound with electrical tape. She cried out in pain—yet the local government failed to act.

Despite clear legal evidence and urgent pleas from CARE (Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth), Daedeok District officials refused to intervene, falsely claiming they had no responsibility because the dogs are “privately owned.” This response is both ethically unacceptable and legally indefensible under South Korea’s Animal Protection Act.

Thanks to CARE’s relentless efforts and pressure, Jinsooni was finally removed and taken for emergency treatment. However, the district left the veterinary hospital without paying for her medical costs. After prolonged negotiations and persistent advocacy, officials have reluctantly agreed to begin removing the remaining dogs starting Monday—but we must ensure this promise is kept.

⚠️ We demand:

• Immediate seizure and medical care for all neglected dogs
• Prosecution of the owner for abuse and neglect
• Disciplinary action against negligent public officials

This is not just animal cruelty—it’s a public failure. Sign and share this petition to demand justice for Jinsooni and protection for the others still suffering.

📺 Watch the footage here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XxntN05MXcU

Find more ways to help: https://koreandogs.org/jinsooni/

Save Jinsooni and Daejeon’s Neglected Dogs: Demand Emergency Action and Urgent Medical Care!

Petition to the Daejeon Government: Demand Immediate Seizure of Neglected Dogs and Prosecution of the Abuser

To the Mayor of Daejeon, the Mayor of Daedeok District, the Animal Policy Team of Daedeok District, and the relevant authorities under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs:

Please watch these videos: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XxntN05MXcU
https://www.youtube.com/live/I1QqARzx-Js

We are writing to urgently appeal for immediate intervention regarding a severe case of animal neglect and abuse taking place in the livestock-rearing restricted zone of Sintanjin, Daedeok District, Daejeon. As documented by CARE (Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth) and supported by live footage, ten dogs are currently suffering in unsanitary, unsafe, and life-threatening conditions. One dog, Jinsooni, is in particularly critical condition—an electrical tape has been tightly wrapped around her leg, causing grotesque swelling, visible trauma, and continuous cries of pain.

The owner of these animals has failed to provide the most basic necessities, including food, shelter, or veterinary care, constituting a clear and serious violation of South Korea’s Animal Protection Act. Despite the submission of legal evidence and growing public concern, officials from the Daedeok District Office have refused to take immediate action. One official, identified as Officer Song, explicitly stated that the Animal Policy Team does not handle cases involving privately owned dogs and refused to visit the site, citing internal staffing limitations. This stance is not only ethically indefensible—it is also legally incorrect. The Animal Protection Act applies to all animals, regardless of ownership status.

Animal cruelty is not a private matter; it is a criminal offense under South Korean law. The failure of local authorities to act promptly represents a serious breach of their legal obligations and a betrayal of public trust. Delaying action until “next week” places these animals at further risk of suffering, injury, or death. The community cannot—and should not—bear the burden of protecting animals when government officials abdicate their responsibilities.

We therefore call on the City of Daejeon and the Daedeok District Government to take the following actions without delay: (1) immediately seize all ten dogs from the site and place them into protective custody; (2) initiate a criminal investigation and prosecution of the owner for abuse and neglect; (3) conduct a formal disciplinary review of all officials who failed in their legal duties, including Officer Song; and (4) implement clear and enforceable animal protection procedures to prevent such neglect from occurring again.

Animal suffering on this scale is intolerable, and silence or delay in the face of cruelty is complicity. An online petition demanding urgent intervention is now active, with growing public support: https://chng.it/6Sc6f2pJNX

We urge you to act now and demonstrate that the City of Daejeon stands for compassion, justice, and the rule of law. The eyes of the nation—and the world—are watching.

PETITION IN KOREAN:

대전시 정부에 드리는 청원서: 학대와 방치 속에 놓인 개들에 대한 긴급 격리 조치 및 학대자 처벌을 강력히 촉구합니다

수신: 대전광역시장님, 대덕구청장님, 대덕구청 동물정책팀, 농림축산식품부 관련 부서

아래 영상을 꼭 확인해 주시기 바랍니다:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XxntN05MXcU
https://www.youtube.com/live/I1QqARzx-Js

저희는 대전 대덕구 신탄진 가축사육제한구역 내에서 발생한 심각한 동물 학대 및 방치 사건에 대해 긴급한 조치를 촉구합니다. CARE(동물권단체케어)가 현장 모니터링과 생중계로 확인한 바에 따르면, 현재 10마리의 개들이 비위생적이고 위험한 환경에서 생명을 위협받으며 고통받고 있습니다. 특히 ‘진순이’라는 한 백구는 다리에 전기테이프가 칭칭 감겨 발이 퉁퉁 붓고 고통에 신음하고 있습니다.

이들 동물의 주인은 음식, 보호소, 수의 치료 등 기본적인 생존권조차 제공하지 않아 명백히 『동물보호법』을 위반하였습니다. 그럼에도 대덕구청 관계자들은 법적 증거와 국민들의 강력한 요구에도 불구하고 즉각적인 조치를 거부하고 있습니다. 담당 공무원 송 주무관은 “사유견 문제는 동물정책팀 소관이 아니며, 인력 부족으로 현장 방문이 불가능하다”고 밝혀 현장 확인을 거부했습니다. 이는 윤리적으로 부당할 뿐 아니라 법적으로도 명백한 위법 행위입니다. 『동물보호법』은 모든 동물에게 적용되며, 소유 여부와 무관합니다.

동물 학대는 개인의 문제가 아니라 대한민국 법률에 따라 엄중히 처벌받아야 할 범죄입니다. 지방 당국의 무책임한 태도는 법적 의무를 방기한 중대한 직무유기이며, 국민의 신뢰를 저버린 행위입니다. ‘다음 주’로 미뤄진 조치는 이 동물들의 고통을 더욱 심화시키고 생명을 위협하는 심각한 문제입니다. 정부가 책임을 방기하는 사이 시민들에게만 부담을 전가하는 것은 결코 용납될 수 없습니다.

따라서 대전시와 대덕구청에 다음과 같이 강력히 요구합니다.
(1) 신속히 현장에 있는 10마리의 개들을 격리조치하여 안전하게 보호할 것
(2) 동물 학대 및 방치 행위에 대해 주인을 형사처벌할 것
(3) 관련 법적 의무를 다하지 않은 담당 공무원, 특히 송 주무관에 대해 엄정한 징계 조치를 취할 것
(4) 향후 유사한 학대와 방지가 재발하지 않도록 명확하고 강력한 동물 보호 관리 체계를 구축할 것

이처럼 심각한 동물 학대는 결코 용납될 수 없으며, 이에 대한 침묵이나 지연은 곧 공범이 되는 것입니다. 현재 긴급한 조치를 요구하는 온라인 청원이 진행 중이며, 시민들의 지지가 계속해서 확산되고 있습니다: https://chng.it/6Sc6f2pJNX

대전시가 진정한 동물복지와 정의, 법치주의를 수호하는 도시임을 지금 바로 행동으로 증명해 주시길 간절히 바랍니다. 전국과 전 세계가 지켜보고 있습니다.

감사합니다.