The Heungdeok Police Station in Cheongju, South Korea, launched an investigation on Monday into a man in his 20s for violating the Animal Protection Act after discovering he had neglected 232 lizards and 19 snakes he kept as pets. Many of the animals reportedly starved to death due to prolonged neglect.
According to authorities, the investigation was prompted when the landlord of a villa in Bokdae-dong reported on October 11 that they had been unable to contact their tenant for several months.
When the police arrived at the residence, they discovered the bodies of 80 gecko lizards and 15 snakes. The Animal Protection Center, responding to the police’s request for assistance, rescued 152 live lizards and 4 snakes.
Based on the condition of the deceased animals, the shelter estimates they had been neglected for approximately two months.
It was only after the police report was filed that he contacted the landlord. He claimed that he had been working in another area due to financial difficulties, which may have contributed to his failure to care for the animals properly.