Seven abandoned dogs found along Seoul road, police launch investigation

Police have opened an investigation after seven dogs showing signs of abuse were found abandoned in succession along Bugak Skyway in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.

According to the Seoul Seongbuk Police Station, the Animal Liberation Wave filed a complaint Tuesday against an unidentified person on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act for abandoning the dogs. Police visited the scene the same day the complaint was received and began securing closed-circuit television footage.

The first dog was discovered around 9:30 p.m. Nov. 2 along the roadside of Bugak Skyway. A rescuer identified only by the surname Jung said the puppy had its snout bound with a rubber band and was stuffed inside a black plastic bag.

The following morning, at 6 a.m. Nov. 3, another dog was found trapped inside a bag near Miari Pass. On Nov. 4, five more dogs were rescued near the spot where the first had been found. Some had their snouts bound with tape or were confined inside bags, leaving them unable to move.

All seven rescued dogs are small breeds and were found to have health problems including skin disease and open wounds. The dog found Nov. 3 was reported to have ruptured cruciate ligaments in both hind legs. The animals are currently receiving treatment and care at a veterinary clinic in Seongbuk-gu.

The Animal Liberation Wave said the dogs are believed to have come from an illegal breeding facility or a shuttered pet shop, and may have been abandoned for unknown reasons after living in poor conditions. Whether all seven were abandoned by the same person remains to be determined pending the outcome of the police investigation.

"The spots where the dogs were found were in grass patches not easily visible to passersby, and some had their snouts bound or were trapped in bags," an official from the Animal Liberation Wave said. "We need to thoroughly identify who abandoned them and under what circumstances."