Stray cats have been found one after another in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla Province), with cable ties fastened tightly around their necks. Some suffered deep wounds, and one cat that showed signs of vomiting has not been seen for a week. An animal protection group believes someone deliberately repeated the abuse and has filed a criminal complaint with police.
According to the National Alliance for Stray Cat Protection, a social cooperative, residents have repeatedly reported sightings over the past three weeks of stray cats with cable ties tightened around their necks near the National Yeosu Quarantine Station in Yeosu, the group said on the 19th.
The group began rescue efforts at the site on the 17th and recovered two of the injured cats. Both were found to be docile animals that showed little fear of people.
One adult cat that was rescued had three black cable ties and a brown cord layered tightly around its neck. The plastic ties had cut into the flesh around the neck, leaving deep wounds. The group handed the cat over to the Yeosu municipal shelter for abandoned animals.
A young cat rescued at the same time had relatively minor injuries, so the cable tie was removed on the spot and the animal was released.
At least one injured cat has yet to be found. A cat that had a white cable tie around its neck and was showing signs of vomiting has not appeared for a week since. The group is continuing its search, concerned that the animal may have died.
The alliance concluded that someone most likely abused the stray cats intentionally, citing the repetition of similar cases over such a short period. It filed a criminal complaint with the Yeosu Police Station on the 18th and called for an investigation into those responsible.
"Picking out docile stray cats that do not shy away from human contact and slowly inflicting pain on them in such a cruel manner is clearly a malicious crime," said Hwang Mi-sook, chairperson of the alliance.
"Trying to kill weak, voiceless creatures painfully by tightening something around their necks can never be dismissed as a prank or a simple lapse," Hwang said. "Because these are serial acts of harm that also create anxiety and fear among local residents, a thorough investigation and severe punishment are needed."
Under the Animal Protection Act, anyone who commits acts of abuse such as injuring an animal without justifiable cause can face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won.