China News Service, May 25. According to a comprehensive Korean media report, the US military stationed in South Korea at the US military base in Osan, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea was revealed to have shot and killed more than 10 stray cats in less than half a year from July to December 2021.
The move sparked public condemnation in South Korea.
Data map: The US military stationed in South Korea conducts military skills training.
According to the report, the U.S. military will start capturing stray cats in the base in early 2021, citing the safety of aircraft landings and the prevention of infectious diseases.
From April 2021, the captured stray cats will be sent to animal hospitals for euthanasia, but from July, they will be shot directly on the grounds that "euthanasia is too expensive" and may cause trauma to veterinarians.
In this regard, the base explained that the move was in line with regulations, and said it would stop shooting and killing from this year.
However, South Korean public opinion does not accept the US military's statement.
Korean media pointed out that according to the relevant regulations of the US military stationed in South Korea, shooting is only allowed when there is no euthanasia drug or relevant veterinarians, or when the captured animal is highly aggressive.
In addition, since South Korean law does not allow euthanasia of animals by shooting, the U.S. military’s practice may violate South Korea’s Animal Protection Law.