Police launch search for dog-killing monk

Police said Monday they have launched a search for a man appearing to be a monk, who was filmed beating a dog to death in December.

In the video footage recently posted online, a man dressed in monk's clothing climbs over the wall of a house in the southern port city of Busan and kicks and punches a dog on a leash. The dog is of the Korean Jindo breed, well known for its intelligence, bravery and fierce loyalty.

After beating the dog, the culprit, appearing to be in his 60s, climbs over the wall again and returns about five minutes later with a weapon. He strikes the dog twice on the head with the weapon and again leaves the premises.

The dog's 75-year-old owner, identified only by his surname Song, reported the case to the police soon after it took place in the early hours of Dec. 4. The dog died after it was taken to a hospital after being discovered the following morning with a cracked skull.

Song said he decided not to press charges against the culprit, as police told him the case would fall under damage to property.

His neighbors, seeing Song's grief over the loss of his pet, later sent the video footage to an animal rights group, who lodged a complaint with the police on Friday.

Police said they have set up a special team of five investigators to track down the culprit, with plans to charge him with violating animal protection laws.

The case is the latest scandal involving South Korean Buddhist monks. Last week, eight senior monks of the country's largest Buddhist sect resigned amid a prosecutors' investigation into video footage showing them gambling illegally at a hotel. (Yonhap)