By Kang Seung-woo

An increasing number of people are calling for tougher punishment against those who abuse animals, with claims that that the current law is too lenient.

A public petition was posted on the Cheong Wa Dae website, Monday, demanding that the government strongly punish those who maltreat animals. It had more than 107,000 signatories as of Wednesday.

"Punishment of animal cruelty is too weak to stop the recurrence of these acts that have become more and more horrendous," the petitioner said.

"What's worse, animal abusers' maltreatment may not stop there and it can lead to violence against humans."

The call came after a YouTuber with 37,000 subscribers, live-streamed himself beating and throwing his puppy to the floor numerous times last week. Angered viewers called the police to stop him and police officers visited his house, but the YouTuber refused to admit them, saying, "Disciplining my dog is none of your business."

Angered by his act of cruelty, the Korean Animal Welfare Association (KAWA) reported him to the Seongdong Police Station in Seoul, Monday.

Amid growing criticism, the YouTuber apologized, Wednesday, promising to donate 5 million won to an animal rights group.

However, the animal welfare group believes that he will not face heavy punishment.

"The YouTuber was involved in a similar case in the past, but he was not indicted," a KAWA official said.

Last month, another case of animal cruelty made headlines as a thirty-something man surnamed Chung was caught slamming a cat onto the pavement multiple times until it died at Gyeongui Line Forest Park, western Seoul. In addition, the police found Chung pre-planned the killing.

However, a court turned down the prosecution's request for an arrest warrant for him, leading to a massive public outcry.

Another petitioner, who demanded tougher punishment against animal abuse last month, said on the petition, "If the authorities punish animal abusers lightly, they are likely to continue those acts. Strong punishment is the only measure to prevent such animal cruelty."

Amid an increase in cases of animal abuse, local animal welfare groups are urging the government to come up with much stricter rules against cruelty to animals.

Under the Animal Protection Law, people who kill or torture animals face a prison term of up to two years or a fine of 20 million won ($17,000).

"The penalties for animal cruelty and the sentencing of abusers are too weak," KAWA President Cho Hee-kyung said.

"In addition, most of them avoid jail terms because they are first-time offenders or claim to regret their acts."

Some animal rights activists insist that animal rights be included in the Civil Law and animals be regarded as "life," not a person's property.

"According to the Civil Law, the status of animals is equivalent to private assets, so even though the owners abuse their animals, they are rarely subject to legal penalties and animal rights groups can hardly rescue them from abusers," an animal welfare activist said.