Animal rights activist sentenced to two years for euthanizing rescues

Social Affairs

Published: 14 Feb. 2023, 16:53

Animal rights activist sentenced to two years for euthanizing rescues

Park So-yeon, who headed the Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE), and accused of euthanizing 98 animals between 2015 and 2018, claims innocence after the court’s ruling on Tuesday in Seoul. [YONHAP]

Former animal rights activist Park So-yeon was sentenced to two years in prison for euthanizing dozens of dogs.

Park was not detained immediately as the court noted that the likelihood of her fleeing was low.

The Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday upheld allegations that Park had euthanized several animals due to a lack of space for rescued animals.

The court said while she seemed to have been committed to rescuing animals, she didn’t give serious thought to the group’s shelter capacity.

Park had also made several violations including those regarding property rights and personal information.

The judge concluded that the purpose can’t justify the means.

Park, who headed the Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE), was accused of killing 98 animals between 2015 and 2018 to secure space at the animal rescue shelter and to cut costs.

She was indicted in December 2019.

Park is also accused of theft and illegal entry for allegedly stealing five dogs worth 1.3 million won ($1,000) at two dog farms in August 2018.

The former animal rights activist said she will appeal.

“It was an unjust ruling based on a lack of understanding on the reality of animal protection,” Park said.

She said she apologizes for trying to hide that she euthanized the animals, but added that she hid the truth because heavy criticism is an obstacle to their rescue and protection efforts.

“The act of euthanizing itself is an inevitable decision for animal protection overall,” Park said. “If civic groups are not allowed to euthanize animals, there would be no other choice but to select only a few animals that could be rescued.”

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]