Cheonggyesan Rescue: A Difficult Decision, But We Need Your Help

posted by KoreanDogs.org team on February 14,2025 in Uncategorized

Sharing for Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE)

Cheonggyesan dogs neglected by an elderly owner (90s). Mother dog still there.

We want to rescue every neglected dog in Korea, but the reality is not that simple.

Why We Rescued the Puppies But Couldn’t Rescue the Mother Dog

In winter, we receive an overwhelming number of reports about neglected animals. Too many dogs are left outdoors on short leashes in Korea, and every day we get dozens of reports about neglected, abused, and injured animals. Unfortunately, it’s impossible for one organization to rescue all of them. CARE operates solely through the support of citizens and receives no government funding. We are currently struggling to care for 800 dogs, including large breed dogs that can’t be adopted and remain in our shelter. With a budget only about 1/5 to 1/6 of the major organizations, our resources are stretched thin.

Yesterday, we received a report about a very thin mother dog and her puppies, neglected in the cold. The dog’s owner was refusing to allow the informant to feed or provide water to the dogs, and he asked for help in gaining permission to offer food and blankets in the dog house to provide some warmth. While we cannot solve every case, our team tried to engage with the owner, even though the chances of success were uncertain. We dispatched a team to a mountain area in Cheonggyesan, Seocho-gu, Seoul.

The elderly man who owned the dogs lived on thousands of square meters of land in an old house, but several challenges made this situation more complicated than usual:

1. The elderly man is in his 90s.
2. The property was gated, so we couldn’t simply enter.
3. CARE activists had previously been sentenced to probation for similar rescue activities (such as trespassing and intrusion into buildings), making our efforts risky from a legal standpoint.
4. Any improper approach to the elderly man could result in charges of coercion or threats.
5. Based on animal protection laws, it would be difficult to act. The house was intact, food and water were provided, and while the mother dog had recently given birth, the other dogs did not appear malnourished.
6. The elderly man lives alone and will likely continue to keep more dogs, making any solution there unsustainable long-term.

Our ideal solution would have been to convince the owner to surrender all the dogs, which would have been the best outcome for the animals. However, as expected, the elderly man was not persuaded, and it was difficult to convince him to allow us to take action. Any slight discomfort in the conversation led him to immediately ask us to leave. The informant’s request wasn’t to take the dogs but to gain permission to help manage the situation, as the elderly man had previously refused to let him assist.

During our first meeting with the elderly man, we were able to open the gate and enter the property. After a long conversation, we managed to rescue the puppies first. If we had pushed too hard for the mother dog, there was a risk the elderly man would demand the puppies be returned, so we decided it was safer to move the puppies first and plan our next steps for the mother dog.

We assured the elderly man that we would return often to help the dogs, and surprisingly, he did not refuse. He even gave us the passcode for the gate. It was a partial success. As for the mother dog, we decided to leave that day and return with a new plan. We placed boxes with blankets on the ground for warmth, knowing there was little else we could do at that moment.

After speaking with the informant again today, we learned that the elderly man did not refuse him and allowed him to feed the dogs. The informant also agreed to provide additional warmth to the shelter.

The mother dog’s thinness may not be from starvation but likely due to her nursing period and potential heartworm infection. Another dog nearby was not thin, suggesting that the mother dog’s condition might be health-related. Even if the mother dog and other adult dogs were relinquished to CARE, several challenges would remain:

1. Possibility of New Dogs Entering: The elderly man lives alone and relies on dogs for protection. Legally, we have no way to control this in South Korea. If new dogs are brought in, it would be impossible to continue cooperating with him.

2. Lack of Space for Rescued Dogs: CARE is already caring for 800 animals, many of which cannot be adopted. We are at full capacity and can only focus on the most urgent cases, such as abuse or injury. We also have outstanding veterinary bills totaling 30 million KRW (approximately $20,786 USD).

3. Contradiction in the Elderly Man’s Statements: Although the elderly man claimed to feed the dogs leftovers, we found bags of commercial dog food in his house, suggesting he also provides them with commercial food.

CARE will continue to work with the informant to monitor the mother dog’s health and potential neglect. The local government is scheduled to visit next week, and we will observe the process.

CARE remains committed to responding to the most urgent cases, rescuing as many animals as possible. However, just as there are limits to what individuals can rescue, there are also limits to the number of animals organizations can save. We ask for your understanding that not all animals can be rescued.

Rescue efforts require collective support. If you are making a request, please secure a foster home for at least three months. CARE is not a municipal shelter and does not practice euthanasia, so we can only rescue selectively. However, we continue to rescue more animals than any other organization in South Korea.

Please consider becoming a regular sponsor of CARE. While we have no savings and spend all funds directly on animals, increasing sponsorship will allow us to offer more rescue opportunities. Currently, CARE has a debt of 130 million KRW (approximately $90,000 USD).

💗🐾🙏 In addition to these recent rescues, CARE provides a sanctuary for 800 dogs at their shelters, all rescued from the horrors of dog meat farms and puppy mills. Your donation will support CARE’s vital mission to end the dog meat trade and animal cruelty in South Korea, and will directly assist with the medical care, fostering, and overseas adoption of these deserving dogs.
You can make a one-time or monthly donation via PayPal. 👉 https://animalrights.or.kr/pages/paypal.php
Thank you for your support! 💙

💗 Donate Monthly

💗 Donate One Time

💗 To donate to Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE), the best option is to contribute directly to them. However, we have set up a GoFundMe page for those who prefer an alternative where you can donate and share with your friends and family. Rest assured, 100% of the funds raised on GoFundMe will be donated to CARE. (South Korea is not on the list of Countries supported on GoFundMe, so KoreanDogs.org is raising money for CARE instead.) 👉 GoFundMe Link: https://gofund.me/d483838d

CARE is doing everything it can, but these dogs still need our help. Sign the petition, contact Seoul City and Seocho District officials, and demand immediate action to protect these animals from neglect and abuse. Every voice matters – take action today!

✍ Sign the Petition

Call for Action

👉 Click HERE to file a petition with the South Korean government through e-People online. (You can use our “Suggested message” below or write your own.)
📌 Need help with the e-People petition? Click HERE for instructions.

👉 📧 Send emails to the members of the Seoul Seocho District Council, Seoul Metropolitan Council, and the South Korean National Assembly.

👉 📬 Send letters to the Seoul Government.

📬 Mayor Oh Se-Hoon
Seoul Metropolitan Government
Saejong-daero 110, Jung-gu, Seoul, Postal Code 04524
South Korea

📬 Seoul Metropolitan Council
Saejong-daero 125, Jung-gu, Seoul, Postal Code 04519
South Korea

📬 District Mayor Jun Sung-soo
Seoul Seocho-gu Government
2584 Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Postal Code 06750
South Korea

📬 Seoul Seocho-gu Council
2584 Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Postal Code 06750
South Korea

📬 Seoul Government’s addresses in Korean:

📬 오세훈 서울특별시 시장님
서울시청
04524 서울특별시 중구 세종대로 110
South Korea

📬 서울특별시의회
(04519) 서울특별시 중구 세종대로 125
South Korea

📬 서울 서초구 전성수구청장님
서울서초구청
(06750) 서울특별시 서초구 남부순환로 2584
South Korea

📬 서울 서초구의회
(06750) 서울특별시 서초구 남부순환로 2584
South Korea

📝 Suggested message

Petition to Seoul and Seoul Seocho District Regarding Animal Neglect at Cheonggyesan

To: The Government of South Korea
South Korea’s National Assembly Members
Seoul Metropolitan Government
Seocho District Government

To the Honorable Seoul Mayor, Seoul Metropolitan Council, and Seocho District Council members,

I petition the City of Seoul and the Seocho District to immediately investigate a case concerning animal neglect located in the Cheonggyesan area of Seocho-gu. This case, brought to our attention by the animal rights organization, Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth(CARE), involves an elderly resident and several dogs, including a mother dog and her puppies.

As detailed in CARE’s report (https://animalrights.or.kr/rescue/228), the dogs are being kept outdoors in harsh winter conditions. CARE representatives who visited the property observed that the mother dog was extremely thin, likely due to nursing and potential heartworm infection. While the owner provides some food and shelter, the conditions raise serious concerns about the animals’ well-being, particularly given the freezing temperatures.

I understand that the owner, an elderly man in his 90s, may be resistant to intervention. However, we emphasize that animals are sentient beings and deserve humane treatment. Leaving them exposed to freezing temperatures constitutes animal abuse and neglect. Just as a human would suffer in these conditions, so do these vulnerable animals.

Therefore, I demand the following actions:

1. Immediate Welfare Check: The City of Seoul and Seocho District must conduct an immediate welfare check on the dogs at the property. This check should assess their physical condition, access to adequate food, water, and shelter, and overall living conditions.

2. Protection from the Elements: Regardless of ownership, the dogs must be protected from the harsh winter weather. If the owner refuses to relinquish the animals, he must be compelled to bring them indoors or provide suitable, insulated shelter that protects them from freezing temperatures. No animal should be forced to endure such conditions.

3. Enforcement of Animal Protection Laws: This case highlights a critical need for stronger enforcement of animal protection laws in Seoul and the Seocho District. We urge the City and District to review and strengthen current regulations to prevent similar cases of animal neglect and abuse in the future. This includes regular inspections, stricter penalties for offenders, and proactive outreach to educate residents about responsible pet ownership.

4. Collaboration with Animal Welfare Organizations: We encourage the City and District to collaborate with reputable animal welfare organizations like CARE to address this situation and provide ongoing support for animal welfare in the community. These organizations possess valuable expertise that can assist in investigations, rescue efforts, and community education.

5. Long-Term Solution: Given the owner’s age and the likelihood of him acquiring more animals in the future, a long-term solution is necessary. This may involve working with the owner to ensure responsible pet ownership or, if necessary, legally removing the animals to ensure their safety and well-being.

We believe that the City of Seoul and the Seocho District have a responsibility to protect vulnerable animals from cruelty and neglect. An online petition is currently underway, urging immediate action to protect these dogs from abuse and to strengthen the enforcement of animal protection laws in Seoul: https://chng.it/wpKbM7Mgpx We urge you to take immediate action in this case and demonstrate your commitment to animal welfare.

Sincerely,

[Your name, city, country]

📝 Suggested message in Korean

청계산에서의 동물 학대에 관한 서울시 및 서초구청에 대한 청원

수신: 대한민국 정부, 대한민국 국회의원, 서울시, 서울시 서초구

저는 서울시와 서초구에 서초구 청계산 지역에서 발생한 심각한 동물 방치 사건에 대한 즉각적인 조사를 요청드립니다. 이번 사건은 동물권단체케어(CARE)의 보도로 알려졌으며, 노인이 거주하는 집에서 여러 마리의 개들, 특히 어미 개와 아기 강아지들이 학대받고 있는 상황입니다.

CARE의 보고서 (https://animalrights.or.kr/rescue/228)에 자세히 설명되어 있듯이, 개들은 혹독한 겨울 날씨 속에 야외에서 사육되고 있습니다. CARE가 현장을 방문한 결과, 어미 개는 매우 마르고, 이는 개가 젖을 먹이는 것과 심장사상충 감염 가능성이 있음으로 보입니다. 주인이 일부 음식을 제공하고 있긴 하지만, 개들의 건강 상태와, 특히 냉동 기온 속에서의 생활 환경은 매우 우려스러운 상황입니다.

우리는 이 개들의 주인인 90대 노인이 개입을 거부할 수 있다는 점을 이해합니다. 그러나 우리는 동물들이 감정이 있는 생명체로서 인간적인 대우를 받을 자격이 있다는 점을 강조합니다. 이 개들을 차가운 날씨에 방치하는 것은 동물 학대와 방치에 해당합니다. 인간이 이런 환경에서 고통받는 것처럼, 이 연약한 동물들도 마찬가지로 고통받고 있습니다.

따라서 저는 다음과 같은 조치를 요구합니다:

1. 즉시 복지 점검: 서울시와 서초구청은 해당 장소에서 개들에 대해 즉시 복지 점검을 진행해야 합니다. 이 점검에서는 개들의 신체 상태, 적절한 음식과 물, 쉼터가 제공되는지, 전반적인 생활 환경을 평가해야 합니다.

2. 추위로부터의 보호: 개들의 소유권에 관계없이, 이 개들은 혹독한 겨울 날씨로부터 보호되어야 합니다. 만약 주인이 개들을 포기하지 않으면, 주인이 개들을 실내로 들이거나, 적절히 단열된 쉼터를 제공하여 추운 기온에서 보호할 수 있도록 강제해야 합니다. 어떠한 동물도 이런 환경에서 학대받지 않도록 해야 합니다.

3. 동물보호법 집행 강화: 이번 사건은 서울시와 서초구의 동물보호법 집행 강화가 시급함을 보여줍니다. 우리는 시와 구에 향후 유사한 동물 방치 및 학대 사건을 예방하기 위해 현재 규정을 검토하고 강화할 것을 촉구합니다. 이를 위해서는 정기적인 점검, 위반자에 대한 강력한 처벌, 그리고 책임 있는 반려동물 소유에 대한 교육이 필요합니다.

4. 동물 복지 단체와의 협력: 서울시와 서초구청은 CARE와 같은 동물 복지 단체들과 협력하여 이 상황을 해결하고 지역사회 내 동물 복지를 지속적으로 지원해 주시기를 권장합니다. 이 단체들은 조사, 구조 활동, 그리고 지역사회 교육에서 중요한 전문성을 가지고 있습니다.

5. 장기적인 해결책: 주인의 연령과 앞으로 더 많은 개들을 기를 가능성을 고려할 때, 장기적인 해결책이 필요합니다. 이는 주인과 협력하여 책임 있는 반려동물 소유를 보장하거나, 필요한 경우 개들을 법적으로 인도하여 이들의 안전과 복지를 보장하는 방안이 될 수 있습니다.

우리는 서울시와 서초구청이 연약한 동물들을 학대와 방치로부터 보호할 책임이 있다고 믿습니다. 서울시와 서초구청에 이 개들을 학대로부터 보호하고 동물보호법 강화 및 철저한 집행을 긴급히 촉구하는 청원 캠페인이 전 세계적으로 진행되고 있습니다. https://chng.it/wpKbM7Mgpx 이 사건에 대해 즉시 조치를 취해 주시고, 동물 복지에 대한 귀하의 책임감을 보여주기를 강력히 촉구합니다.

[Your name, city, country]

👉 Post on X.

.@President_KR .@seoulmania .@seoulcouncil .@seochonews #Seoul #SouthKorea Demand Action: End Animal Neglect and Protect Dogs from Freezing Temperatures in Seoul! ✍️ Petition: https://chng.it/wpKbM7Mgpx ✊Call for Action: https://koreandogs.org/cheonggyesan-rescue

Categories: Uncategorized