Don't worry, she's not dead, but she was close to it when KARA arrived to rescue her. Her new name is Somang-yee.

The KARA office received a frantic call from someone in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, who said that a dog was being stoned at a construction site.

This is how Somang was found. KARA rescuers thought she was dead.

Reportedly, two men had been chasing, tormenting and stoning her for 40 minutes because they didn't like her barking. The men were construction workers, aged 40 and 50.

The two men were caught. Their response? They cared nothing for the dog, only about how unlucky they were to get caught.

Rushed to the vets, Somang survived and his injuries were treated. She has head trauma, ocular proptosis (eye out of the socket), and fractured bones. Fortunately, no internal organs were damaged but because of a fractured skull there is a greater risk of concussion in the future.

When she is healthier she will receive further eye and leg surgery. A video has since been made about the incident and can be viewed here.

She was possibly an abandoned or lost pet and is about 5 years old. Once recovered, KARA can work to find a good home for the poor girl. Hopefully things will work out fine in the end.

Meanwhile, KARA is going to do all it can to prosecute the two abusers. The KARA office has already submitted a formal statement to the prosecutor’s office along with a witness statement, the veterinarian's note, Somang's photos, and a demand for the severe punishment of the abusers.

Update: September 2, 2011

Here is Somang, still recovering.

The outcome was that one man was fined 1 million won and the other 500,000 won. But the police did not investigate the incident well. Apparently, a man was responsible for taking Somang to the construction site in the first place. Police questioned him, but failed to establish if he was the previous owner.

KARA is now pressing for a more comprehensive investigation and perhaps further prosecution.

More pictures are here.

Update: October 9, 2011

Somang has nearly recovered and will hopefully be adopted into a new home soon.

Some of the money donated to KARA through this site went towards Somang's medical expenses. Thanks again to the generious people who donated towards this success story!

See more about this site's donation spending here.

Update: September 20, 2011

The first hearing on Somang’s case was held on October 13. The judge noted that the case had received a lot of public attention and that this reflects the community concern.

KARA protesters outside the court.

In court, the judge was interested in knowing the updates on Somang’s health after her big operation. He then stressed that although some animals are food for humans, we should avoid treating them and other animals in a brutal manner.

The judge concluded that the fines of 1 million won for one defendent and 500,000 won for the other will remain, and the final hearing will be held on 27th of October.

Back in court on the 27th, the two defendents showed regret for their actions and expressed that they had not planned to hurt the dog, but that they had just lost their tempers on the day.

Considering they had no previous convictions, the fines stayed as they were. If they refuse to pay them, they will be detained.

KARA is deeply disappointed that the court sentenced them so leniently, considering their barbaric actions were intended to kill Somang.

But at least it is better than earlier cases where animal abusers typically received no more than a slap on the wrist. For example, a person who set a cat set on fire was fined only 200,000 won, and another person that dropped a mother and her kittens from the 17th floor of a building was fined only 50,000 won.

From February 2012, more stringent animal protection laws will come into place with a maximum fine of ten million won. This should make people think twice before perpetrating violence on the innocent.

Update: November 4, 2011

Somang's ordeal is still not over. She has had to have further operations.

She had another operation to correct her leg bones and further work was done on her injured eye.

But she's still in good spirits and in good hands.