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| Shown is one of puppies rescued by an animal rights group from a pet shop in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. It was found among decomposed bodies showing skulls and collar bones. / Yonhap |
By Oh Young-jin
A mass death of dogs took place in none other than a pet shop where the animals were supposed to be under the best care.
The Korean Animal Welfare Association hosted a media briefing in Gwanghawmun, Tuesday, to expose the tragic scene in Cheonan, South Chungcheon Province.
The animal rights advocate said that about 160 animals were abandoned at the pet shop with at least 79 of them confirmed dead.
This group distributed photos and videos of the scene where the dead animals were left in iron cages on floors and in boxes.
Many of them had decomposed to the point that their skulls and collar bones were exposed, meaning they had been abandoned for some considerable time.
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| An animal rights group stages a protest in downtown Seoul, Tuesday, for better welfare of animals. / Yonhap |
Those found alive were among the dead bodies. The association said that they were in a poor state and suffered from many afflictions such as contagious measles. Those in critical conditions were sent to veterinarians, but died.
The association claimed the pet shop in question was the kind that charges people for taking over the animals they give up, and those who adopt them.
The association claimed that the tragic incident was the result of policy failure to supervise and control pet trading, allowing "puppy farms" to proliferate.
The agency filed a complaint against the shop owner for violating the law on the protection of animals and acquired a written pledge for him to give up his rights to the animals.
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