Animal trainer Kang Hyung-wook was embroiled in controversy over remarks referencing the case of the pet dog Pasha, who died after being dragged while attached to an electric bicycle. Despite offering an explanation amid heavy criticism from netizens, the criticism extended to the animal rights group Care.
Kang Hyung-wook referred to the Pasha case during a YouTube live on the 18th, saying, "Rough collies are a breed that needs a lot of exercise. Having them exercise by riding a bicycle is a sport common enough to have competitions. The issue is only the 'degree.'"
He added, "I felt sorry about everything when I saw the Pasha case. I think it was abuse. But would someone really take Pasha out wanting to abuse and kill him? I don't know," and "I don't want to believe that person intended to kill Pasha. They should be punished, though."
When these remarks became known, online criticism poured in saying that he had "diluted clear abuse that led to death as 'lack of exercise.'" Critics said the expression reduced the essence of the incident to a matter of 'degree,' making the animal abuse seem like a simple mistake.
As the controversy spread, Kang Hyung-wook explained on the 19th, "I also think Pasha died from abuse. I share the view that this must never happen again, but I don't think my feelings were fully conveyed in the video," and added, "I will be more careful with my remarks in the future."
But the animal rights group Care strongly criticized him, saying, "Trainer Kang Hyung-wook's remarks kill Pasha twice." Care said, "Turning an animal's suffering into sport or training and shrinking it to a matter of degree is language that justifies violence," and criticized it as "a dangerous rhetoric that turns ethical judgment into technical judgment."
Meanwhile, Kang Hyung-wook was recently cleared of allegations of abusing employees. The Cyber Investigation Unit 1 of the Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency on June 5 decided not to prosecute Kang Hyung-wook and his wife, Susan Alder, who had been accused of violating the Information and Communications Network Act, ruling 'no charges.'
[Photo] YouTube capture
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