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Sharing for Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE)

Dangdong — The Hunting Dog Who Waited in Silence

Dangdong’s story began in a quiet rural village in Goseong, where he spent the first ten years of his life. Raised as a hunting dog, he had been trained from a young age to catch pheasants and birds. For years, until about the age of seven or eight, he was occasionally taken to the mountains.

When he grew too old to hunt, however, Dangdong was chained behind a livestock shed and left there—neglected for nearly two years. Old road-view images still show him in the exact same spot, day after day. Over time, his fur became hopelessly matted and filthy, and his food and water bowls sat dry and crusted over.

A concerned citizen eventually reported his situation to the Goseong County Office, requesting at least some improvement in his care. The response from officials was disheartening: “If people can see the dog, we’ll get complaints. Move him further back or block the view with panels.” No follow-up visits were made, and nothing changed for Dangdong. He lived “out of sight” in a world where simply being seen was considered a problem.

When the animal welfare group CARE (Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth) first learned of Dangdong’s case, they wanted to rescue him immediately. Unfortunately, circumstances at the time prevented quick action. Still, his photos and story stayed with the team, who silently promised themselves: One day, we will get him out.

That day finally came.

On a scorching summer afternoon, following an investigation in another region, the CARE team drove straight to Goseong without rest, determined not to leave without Dangdong. They found him under the relentless sun—motionless, wary of strangers, flinching at human touch. Yet in his eyes was something unmistakable: a quiet, desperate will to live.

Approaching slowly and speaking softly, they were able to lift him into their arms. Removing his thick, rusted chain collar seemed a small act, but it carried the weight of many urgent questions:

• What illnesses had years of neglect caused?
• Where could he receive treatment, and how would the costs be covered?
• With his fur and skin in such poor condition, what should be treated first?
• Was a foster home available for him after treatment?
• If no one adopted him, could CARE manage his long-term care?

Taking in an animal is never just a single decision—it is an ongoing responsibility. CARE was ready to shoulder that responsibility fully.

After speaking with Dangdong’s owner and persuading them to surrender him, the team carried him—frail and matted—back to Seoul. They named him Dangdong, after the village he came from, and vowed: Now, let’s give you a beautiful haircut, restore your health, and let your life flow again. We will protect you to the very end.

Medical tests confirmed heartworm and protozoan infections, but Dangdong is now safe in CARE’s care. The organization is committed to fighting for his recovery and is asking for public support so that an older dog like Dangdong can still have hope for a better life.

🐾 Help us give Dangdong the life he deserves.

💗🐾🙏 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! 💙

For 25 years, CARE’s integrity in using donations has been recognized by South Korea’s Ministry of Justice,
as well as its citizens and communities.

 

 

 

 

 

CARE’s update post in Korean, 6/20/2025: 귀여운 저는 사냥개였습니다

그 아이를 처음 봤을 때❗️ 제보자는 입을 막고 한참을 아무 말도 할 수 없었습니다.
말라붙은 물그릇, 먼지와 배설물에 엉겨 붙은 털, 그리고… 오랜 시간 동안 아무 변화 없이 존재했던 망부석 같은 아이.

당동이는 그렇게 ‘아무도 모르게’ 살아가고 있었습니다.
공무원들은 “보이면 민원이 들어온다”며, 아이를 더 뒤쪽으로 옮기거나 판넬로 가리라고만 했습니다.
누군가의 눈에 띄는 것이 문제인 세상. 그 속에서 당동이는 한 번도 ‘누군가의 마음에’ 닿지 못했던 것입니다.

하지만 케어 활동가들의 마음은 달랐습니다.
제보를 받고 바로 구조하지 못하는 여러 여건으로 마음 아팠지만 당동이의 사진을 보며 언젠가는 구조해 주자는 마음은 누가 먼저랄 것없이 함께였습니다.

여러 날이 지나고 결국 고성까지 달려갔습니다.
해가 쨍쨍 내리쬐는 날, 다른 지역 조사를 새벽에 마치고 잠도 못 자고 달려온 길
뙤약볕 아래에 홀로 망부석이 되어가는 아이를 반드시 구조하자는 마음..

그리고 마침내 만난 당동이. 겁에 질려 있었고, 사람 손길에 움찔거리며 물러섰지만 그 눈엔 어딘가 “살고 싶다”는 간절함이 숨어 있었습니다.
활동가들은 조심스럽게 아이를 안았습니다. 그렇게 당동이의 굵은 쇠목줄은 풀렸습니다.
단지 목줄 하나 푸는 것 같지만, 그 안엔 수많은 고민과 선택이 있었습니다.

이 아이를 구조하면,
· 얼마나 많은 질병이 있을까?
· 치료는 어디서 받을 수 있지? 비용은 감당이 될까?
· 털과 피부 상태는 너무 심각한데, 우선순위는?
· 치료 후 갈 수 있는 임시보호처는 있을까?
· 만약 아무 데도 갈 곳이 없다면 입양도 안된다면 계속 드는 비용은 어떻게 해야 하지?

동물 한 명을 품기 위해선, 제보 하나를 해결하기 위해선, 머리로 계산하고 가슴으로 결심해야 합니다.
그래서 구조는 ‘결정’이 아닙니다. 구조는 ‘책임’입니다. 그 책임을 감당하기 위해, 케어 활동가들은 온몸으로 뛰었습니다.

아이를 설득하고, 주인을 만나 이야기하고, 포기를 받아내고, 털 한 가닥까지 엉켜버린 당동이를 조심스레 품에 안고
서울까지 돌아오는 길— 멀고, 덥고, 무거웠지만… 그 무엇보다 소중한 여정이었습니다.

이제 당동이는, 다시 삶을 시작합니다. 망부석처럼 단단하게 굳어버린 시간은 지나가고, 이름처럼 고운 하루가 흐르기 시작합니다.
“당동아, 너의 삶이 돌덩이처럼 굳지 않아서 정말 다행이야. 이젠 털도 예쁘게 다듬고, 건강도 되찾고, 너의 마음도… 조금씩 녹여내자.
우리는 끝까지 너의 편이야.”

역시나 심장사상충과 원충이 발견됐습니다.
열심히 치료하겠습니다. 함께 해 주세요!

✅강력한 케어의 정기후원인단 신청➡프로필링크클릭 또는 https://animalrights.or.kr
✅일시후원 하나은행 350-910009-45704 (사단법인 동물권단체케어)
✅정기후원: https://link.inpock.co.kr/carekorea
✅Paypal paypal.me/care8886
✅유투브 멤버십 가입 (Sign Up for YouTube Membership)https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3xG8UBi0oj4NzF5uk2ey-A/join