Outrage over dog dragged to death by e-bike prompts legal reform calls

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The death of a Rough Collie dragged by an electric bicycle in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, has fueled public outrage and renewed calls for stronger animal welfare laws in Korea, as critics point to both the owner’s actions and systemic failures in the authorities’ response.

On Aug. 22, a man in his 50s tied his dog to his electric bike and rode about 4 kilometers along the Cheonan Stream trail. Witnesses reported the animal bleeding from its paws and abdomen and struggling to breathe before collapsing. Reports said a rescue team eventually transported the dog to a clinic, but it died on the way.

A veterinary report later concluded the dog likely suffocated due to prolonged pressure from a choke chain, compounded by heat and exhaustion. Police booked the owner under the Animal Protection Act. He denied intentional abuse, telling investigators, “I only wanted the dog to exercise and lose weight.”

Animal rights group CARE rejected that explanation, saying the cruelty was unmistakable. “The dog lay bleeding and gasping, but the owner provided no help and instead interfered with citizens who tried to intervene,” the group said in a statement. “That is deliberate neglect and obstruction of rescue, and must be prosecuted as intentional abuse.”

This photo provided by a citizen shows Pasha, a Rough Collie that was dragged to death by an electric bicycle in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, Aug. 22. Yonhap

The organization also accused authorities of mishandling the case. Police who responded to the report allegedly waited for Cheonan city animal control officials instead of taking immediate action, leaving the dog on the roadside for nearly an hour before it was transported. Activists also questioned why the animal was taken to a shelter clinic rather than a hospital equipped for emergencies.

Police faced backlash for leaving the dog unattended during this critical period, with critics saying the delay cost it its “golden hour” for treatment and amounted to structural negligence.

Further criticism has focused on the investigation itself. No prompt forensic autopsy was ordered despite the suspicious circumstances, meaning key evidence was reliant on a single veterinary assessment. Police were also faulted for failing to quickly secure witness testimony and for initially treating the case as a minor administrative violation rather than a criminal matter.

Advocates argue these lapses show how animal cruelty cases are still not prioritized and investigated with less urgency than other crimes.

Under the current law, animal cruelty carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison or a fine of up to 30,000,000 won ($21,600). But enforcement remains weak, and animals are still legally classified as property, often preventing thorough investigations when they die.

Activists are now calling for the passage of the “Pasha Law,” named after the Collie that died. Pushed by CARE, the proposal would ban tethering pets to moving vehicles, require forensic autopsies in suspected abuse cases, mandate faster emergency response and impose restrictions on animal ownership for convicted abusers. It would also hold officials accountable for failing to act in time.

Pasha's death has sparked another wave of discussions on whether Korea will strengthen protections for animals or continue to treat such incidents as isolated crimes.

“We will push for stronger amendments to the Animal Protection Act following this incident," CARE said in a statement. "Through the Pasha Law, we ask everyone to join us so that tragedies like this never happen again.”