KARA (Korea Animal Rights Advocates), a non-profit animal rights organization in South Korea, has raised the alarm about a serial animal killer in Paju, who may have resumed adopting animals to abuse them.

Earlier in 2024, an individual, identified only as Ahn, was arrested for adopting and killing at least 11 cats. Despite the severity of the case, Ahn was released on probation and remains free while awaiting the second trial, the date for which has yet to be determined.

On December 31, 2024, KARA received an urgent report from an informant familiar with Ahn. The informant noted that Ahn had recently set a photo of a cat as their KakaoTalk profile picture, with the background matching Ahn’s residence. The cat in the photo was not among the previously documented victims, sparking concerns that Ahn may have adopted another animal.

Given Ahn’s history, KARA suspects the cat could be in immediate danger. Ahn had also previously taken in a dog named Somang for temporary care but killed it within a day. The organization attempted to visit the residence to verify the cat’s safety but received no response. It remains unclear whether Ahn still resides at the same address.

KARA stated, "The unusual aspect of this case is that the photo was deleted after KARA’s visit to the residence. This raised further concerns about the welfare of the cat. Believing that the individual might be home on the holiday, a follow-up visit was made on January 1. The doorbell was rung again, and the door was knocked on while waiting for a response, but there was still no reaction. Shortly afterward, police officers arrived at the scene, stating that they had received a report regarding potential trespassing. The situation was explained to the officers, and a request was made to carefully check with the reporting individual whether there were any animals or pet care-related items inside the residence."

KARA also revealed they reported the case to Paju’s Animal Protection Team, requesting an on-site investigation under the authority granted by Article 86 of South Korea’s Animal Protection Act. However, the team expressed reluctance to proceed without concrete evidence, such as hearing the cat’s cries, citing limitations on unverified visits.

Korean netizens are voicing concerns for the cat's safety, given Ahn's notorious history of horrific animal abuse, which led to the deaths of several cats and dogs. Korean netizens are criticizing the country's inadequate animal protection measures, which fail to prevent individuals like Ahn from adopting more animals. They commented:

"Please, lock up scum like that in prison. How weak does the law have to be for him to keep doing such things?"

"I wish he would suffer the same things he’s done and die because of it."

"That psychopath—why do they keep letting someone like him go? The sentencing laws need a complete overhaul. If someone repeatedly commits crimes, they should be locked up forever and forced into hard labor."

"I hope he experiences exactly what he’s done to those animals."

"Everyone, please pay attention to this. While weak punishments for animal abuse are a big problem, the fact that abusers can openly adopt more animals is shocking.

He killed over 10 animals, and probation is what he gets? How does that even make sense?"

"The devil has returned."

"If that guy isn’t stopped, he’ll eventually kill a person."

"I want to kill that psychopath. You bastard, just go kill yourself."

"I feel so suffocated… Why can he keep adopting animals?"

"What about the cat?"

"Animal abusers eventually escalate to killing people, and they just let him go.

He’s a textbook psychopath."

"For the sake of the cats and to prevent bigger harm, he needs to be permanently removed."

"Even Brazil has strengthened its animal cruelty laws, giving prison sentences to abusers and legally banning them from ever owning animals again."

"He’s seriously a lunatic. Are we waiting for him to kill a person before he’s sent to jail?

That guy is 100% going to kill someone soon. He’s already killed over 10 animals, and he gets probation? This is insane."

"I’m scared. Reveal his identity."

"He’s worse than trash—I don’t think he should be allowed to live."

"When animal abuse continues, it eventually harms people too. If we keep giving out these lenient punishments, the judicial system becomes complicit in the crimes."

"How does trash like that even exist in this world?"

"Even if animal abuse doesn’t often lead to murder, it alone should result in severe punishment. Ugh, I’m so angry at the start of the new year."

"The judge who gave probation—may they be tortured and die painfully."

"Probation? And do they not check someone’s record before letting them adopt? Doesn’t this stuff stay on file?"

"Weak punishments keep causing more lives to be lost. How long will this go on?

If you look at who’s in charge of animal welfare policies, you’ll understand why he got probation. Just die already, you bastard."

"If we leave someone like that alone, they’ll eventually commit violent crimes against people. Ugh, lunatics who kill weak animals need to experience the same things themselves."

"I can’t understand how he got probation. People like him will eventually kill humans."

"Can’t there be severe punishments for animal abuse already?"

"Wow… how could they let someone like that back into society? Crazy."

"He’s just stacking up "death penalty points," practicing for worse crimes. He needs to be executed."

"If probation is what they’re going to give, they should’ve fined him 10 billion (6,800 USD), even 100 billion KRW (68,000 USD)."

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