CARE employees urge representative to quit over euthanasia
Staffers of Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) urge its president Park So-youn to step down at the body's office in Seoul, Sunday, following revelations that the organization had euthanized sheltered animals. / Yonhap
By Kim Jae-heun
The head of the nation's largest animal rights organization is under pressure to quit in the wake of disclosure that the organization put hundreds of its sheltered animals to death “indiscreetly.”
The call comes after a former employee of Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) revealed that its president, Park So-youn, was responsible for the euthanization of more than 230 animals at its shelter from 2015 to 2018, including 80 last year, without telling employees about the mercy killings.
“We are very sorry as staff of CARE. We did not know such a horrible thing happened. Park, who has deceived us, should resign,” an official said during a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Saturday.
“CARE's slogan that it is a no-kill shelter has turned out to be a downright lie. Given that Park made most of the decisions on her own, we did not hear anything about the alleged mercy killing of sheltered animals.”
According to the whistleblower, the animals were killed because there was not enough room at the shelter.
“Even the healthy animals had to give up their lives for a systematic procedure here and some animals that were not supposed to be killed were also put to death,” the official said.
The staff said that Park recently called a meeting at which she claimed the rule book has been lost, and that a new person was in charge of administering euthanasia.
“It is nothing but changing the death stage for animals when we rescue animals to kill or kill animals we have rescues,” a CARE official said.
“Park should've sought our opinions if CARE was to carry out such large-scale euthanasia. CARE is neither Park's exclusive property nor a private organization. We are a civic group funded by 2 billion won of donations annually.”
“We trusted Park and followed her decisions, but her arbitrary actions have gone too far.
“For example, she pushed the decision to rescue over 250 dogs kept at a farm in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, last year, but it was beyond CARE's capability,” an official added.
President denies allegations
However, Park said she had never decided on her own to euthanize rescued animals and had always discussed the matter with others beforehand.
“I have lots of evidence on my Kakao Talk account, proving my innocence,” Park told The Korea Times, Sunday, adding that she had talked with three people familiar with the issue.
“Also, when the revelation was made Friday, I was going to hold a board meeting to explain it, but suddenly a camera appeared in front of me, urging to clarify the decisions.
“Most of animals that were put to death suffered from incurable infectious diseases. However, I tried my utmost to save them.”
Park added: “We have rescued animals outnumbering the number of shelters to house them. We need to discuss euthanasia more and must not just believe that it must be avoided.”