SEOUL – A man in his 20s has been booked by South Korean authorities after police discovered nearly 100 dead reptiles in his rented apartment, leading to an investigation under the Animal Protection Act, officials confirmed on November 4.
The incident came to light after a landlord in Cheongju’s Bokdae-dong neighborhood reported on October 11 that he had been unable to reach his tenant for several months. Concerned about the tenant’s whereabouts, the landlord entered the apartment with police assistance.
Inside, officers found the remains of 80 geckos and 15 snakes. A total of 152 lizards and four snakes were also discovered alive but in poor condition. Authorities transported the surviving animals to an animal shelter, where experts believe the reptiles had been neglected for approximately two months, based on the state of the deceased animals.
Following the police investigation, the tenant contacted his landlord, explaining that he had left the area to seek work in another city due to financial struggles.
The case is ongoing as authorities continue to probe the man’s actions under animal cruelty laws.
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