[Content/Trigger Warning: Animal cruelty - This article contains descriptions of animal abuse that some readers may find disturbing.]
A dog died after being forced to run and dragged while tied to its owner’s electric bicycle. The owner reportedly told police he did it to help the dog "lose weight."
Cheonan Dongnam Police announced on August 24 that they have booked a man in his 50s, identified as Mr. K, for investigation on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act.
According to police, the incident occurred on the evening of August 22, around 7:50 PM, along a riverside trail in Dongnam District, Cheonan. Mr. K is accused of tying his Border Collie to his bicycle and forcing it to run alongside. Witnesses reported seeing the dog bleeding while being dragged behind the electric bike and called the authorities. Witnesses saw a Border Collie struggling to keep up with the moving e-bike. The animal was reportedly bleeding from its legs and body before collapsing.
Police and firefighters responded to the scene, contacting the local district office and an animal rescue center. The dog was rushed to an animal hospital but died during transport. Investigators noted blood traces left along the trail and said a veterinarian gave a preliminary opinion that the cause of death was likely suffocation.
During questioning, the owner reportedly told police, "The dog was overweight, so I made it run while tied to the bike to help it lose weight." Authorities are now investigating whether the abuse was intentional and if the dog had been mistreated on previous occasions.
Residents told local media that this was not the first time the man had mistreated his dogs. One neighbor alleged that he had hammered nails into a collar, saying it was to prevent the dog from biting people.
Animal rights groups have also accused the man of repeated abuse, saying complaints had been filed against him in the past. One activist stated, "This man is notorious in the neighborhood for animal abuse. There have been multiple complaints and reports filed, but no proper action was taken."
Police are continuing their investigation into the incident and are looking into allegations of additional abuse.
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