SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – A dog farm owner prosecuted on charges of animal cruelty for killing 30 dogs via electrocution was declared innocent on September 28.

The 65 year-old defendant had killed the animals by placing an electric steel prod on their muzzles.

The latest result is the second legal victory for the defendant; the prosecution had appealed the previous court ruling that had seen the defendant cleared of all charges.

The court explained, “The manner in which the defendant slaughtered the dogs is a method prescribed by the relevant law. It is difficult to make the case that [the defendant's actions] fall under ‘cruel methods’ as determined by animal rights law.”

The court further explained, “To determine something as ‘cruel’ is an extremely subjective and relative observation. Since the act of killing animals is inherently cruel, if the parameters necessitating punishment become too wide it could result in unconstitutional consequences.”

The court provided a similar explanation when it cleared the defendant in the first trial.

Animal rights law bans the slaughter of animals through methods like hanging. It also prohibits the slaughter of animals in the presence of other animals.

Animal rights group Kara held a press conference in front of the courthouse after the result was announced and accused the court and the prosecution of disregarding and distorting animal rights laws.

“Through their cowardly views, which refuse to place the responsibility of animal deaths on people, the courts through their own actions have proven that South Korea’s animal rights laws are just for show and hold as much weight as a piece of toilet paper in this country,” the protestors claimed.

S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)