Man in his 60s arrested for abandoning 52 dogs in filth-ridden homes across Chuncheon

A man in his 60s who abandoned dozens of dogs across multiple filth-ridden apartments and houses in Chuncheon — leaving some to die — has been handed over to prosecutors in custody.

The Chuncheon Police Station in Gangwon Province said Tuesday it had forwarded the suspect, identified only as A, 64, to prosecutors on Monday on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act.

A is accused of abandoning 52 dogs across five apartments and houses in Chuncheon over several years, causing three to die from malnutrition and other conditions, and leaving 18 others to develop diseases including heartworm.

The investigation found he had kept the dogs without food or water in unsanitary conditions, surrounded by waste and piles of garbage.

Police were dispatched on April 1 at 3:30 p.m. after a resident reported finding a dog dead inside an unlocked apartment in Hyoja-dong, Chuncheon, where officers discovered evidence of abuse.

Police conducted joint inspections with Chuncheon City Hall at 15 properties linked to A and confirmed signs of animal abuse. On Thursday, they carried out search and seizure operations at five apartments and houses — including A's own residence — and tested 45 dogs for disease.

Seven puppies born from breeding that occurred in the neglected conditions were not included in the testing.

After confirming charges including the deaths and illnesses of the animals, police applied for an arrest warrant. A court granted it Sunday, citing concerns about destruction of evidence.

A had previously drawn repeated complaints and reports over roughly a decade for abandoning dozens of dogs in apartments he owned in Chuncheon.

Over the past three years, Chuncheon City Hall logged 27 formal complaints and civil petitions related to A. Phone complaints were not included in that count, meaning the actual number of reports is likely higher.

In September 2023, the city rescued 17 dogs from one of his homes — filled with garbage and feces — with his consent. Last September, it rescued another 27 and placed them under protective care.