Source: Overseas Network
Footage of U.S. troops in South Korea shooting stray cats
According to the South Korean Broadcasting Corporation (KBS) reported on the 24th, the US military in South Korea was exposed to have shot and killed more than a dozen stray cats in less than half a year in 2021, on the grounds that it was to ensure the safety of aircraft take-off and landing and prevent and control infectious diseases. After the relevant pictures were exposed, it triggered condemnation from South Korean public opinion.
The incident took place at the U.S. military base in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, and footage taken by whistleblowers in December 2021 showed a U.S. military armed with a long gun pointed at a stray cat curled up in a cage, ready to shoot.
Stray cat captured by U.S. forces in South Korea
Whistleblowers revealed that the U.S. military began capturing stray cats in the base in early 2021 and, starting in April, sent them to animal hospitals for euthanasia. However, from July, it was changed to direct shooting, on the grounds that euthanasia was too expensive and had a great mental impact on veterinarians. "After the U.S. military catches a stray cat, it is shot and killed, young or old, whether it is injured or not."
Screenshot of a report by Korean television
After receiving complaints from many people, the Osan US military base said that "shooting and killing complied with regulations" and said that the shooting had been stopped this year.
However, for the US military's statement, South Korean public opinion does not buy it. According to the Korea Broadcasting Corporation, under the relevant regulations of the US military in South Korea, shooting is allowed when there is no euthanasia drug or related veterinarian, or when the arrested animal is aggressive. In addition, given that South Korean law does not allow euthanasia of animals by shooting, the U.S. military's practices also violate South Korea's Animal Protection Law. (Overseas Network Liu Qiang)