A man in his 30s from Ulsan, South Korea, has been referred to prosecutors on charges of animal abuse after live-streaming the maltreatment of small animals, including hamsters and guinea pigs, over several months. The Ulsan Ulju Police stated that from March to November of the previous year, the accused reportedly confined multiple hamsters in a small enclosure and recorded their injuries and suffering, posting these videos on various online platforms, including social media.

Despite being under police investigation due to a complaint from the animal rights organization Animal Freedom Alliance, the man continued to broadcast more abusive acts live online, including sucking hamsters into a vacuum cleaner and shaking them in a container. He also made mocking comments on a petition calling for his severe punishment, demonstrating a disregard for the gravity of his actions. In response to ongoing abuses, police and local authorities intervened last month, confiscating a total of 22 hamsters from his residence to ensure their safety.

The man has claimed ignorance regarding the inappropriate confinement of hamsters, even labeling his actions as mistakes. He submitted a letter of reflection to the police while expressing strong discontent about the confiscation of the animals. Meanwhile, the Animal Freedom Alliance is actively campaigning for stricter punishments for animal abusers and the establishment of regulations to prohibit individuals found guilty of such acts from owning animals in the future.