National Federation of Stray Cat Protection Groups rescues animals
![A stray cat found with a cable tie around its neck. [National Federation of Stray Cat Protection Groups/Newsis]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/10/19/news-p.v1.20261019.a9e8227dee6f4ded86af13893ff2a6d7_P1.jpg)
Several stray cats have been found with cable ties tightened around their necks in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province.
According to the National Federation of Stray Cat Protection Groups on Monday, multiple cats were discovered with cable ties around their necks near the National Quarantine Station in Yeosu over the past three weeks, prompting the group to file a complaint with police.
One cat was found with three black cable ties layered tightly around its neck.
Another cat was seen vomiting while restrained by a white cable tie. That cat has been missing for a week since it was first spotted, raising fears it may have died.
The group said it conducted emergency rescues of two cats found bound with cable ties at the scene.
A young cat with relatively minor injuries had the cable tie removed on the spot and was released back into the area, while an adult cat was transferred to the Yeosu City Animal Shelter. The adult cat had sustained deep wounds where a plastic cable tie had cut into the flesh around its neck.
The group filed a formal complaint with police over the incidents.
Hwang Mi-suk, chairwoman of the National Federation of Stray Cat Protection Groups, said deliberately inflicting slow, cruel suffering on docile stray cats that do not resist human contact "is clearly a malicious crime." She added that because the acts constitute a series of harmful actions that cause extreme anxiety and fear among local residents, "thorough investigation by the judicial authorities and strict punishment of the perpetrator must follow."
Under the Animal Protection Act, anyone who causes pain or injury to an animal without justifiable cause may face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won ($22,300).
jshan@heraldcorp.com
