"You're Going to Die Today": Three Men in Their 20s Sentenced to Prison for Firing BB Gun at Pet Dogs, Leaving One Needing an Eye Removed

Fired an illegally modified BB gun for 37 minutes in restaurant yard
Two were active-duty Marines; dog owners: "No settlement"

Three men in their 20s who broke into a restaurant in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, and repeatedly fired an illegally modified BB gun at pet dogs for about 37 minutes were sentenced to prison terms. Two of the three dogs died after the incident, while the surviving dog suffered serious injuries that required the removal of one eye.

A scene showing hundreds of BB pellets being fired at pet dogs at a restaurant in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. On the right is Maehwa, who lost one eye in the incident. Screenshot captured from footage by the YouTube channel Meongmeongi Samchon-gwa Donghaeng Banryeogyeon Haengdong Gyojeong and JTBC.

According to legal sources on November 3, Judge Kim Eunsu of Criminal Division 5 of the Busan District Court's Eastern Branch sentenced each of the three defendants, including A, to eight months in prison on charges including special property damage. The judge did not order them detained in court, however, to give them a chance to reach a settlement with the victims.

A and the others were indicted on charges of breaking into a restaurant in Irun-myeon, Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, at around 1 a.m. on June 8, 2025, and firing an illegally modified BB pistol repeatedly for about 37 minutes at pet dogs tied up in the yard. At the time, they were staying at a nearby pension, and two of the defendants were reportedly serving in the active-duty Marine Corps when the crime took place.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the scene showed them continuing to fire BB pellets even after the dogs hid inside their kennel to escape the attack. They also filmed the crime themselves. The video reportedly included remarks such as, "Shoot it in the forehead, the forehead" and "You're going to die today," sparking public outrage.

CCTV footage captured someone firing a barrage of shots from an illegally modified BB gun at a pet dog in the yard of a restaurant in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. Beagle Rescue Network.

The pet dogs suffered severe injuries. Maehwa was wounded all over and had one eye removed. Kkae broke several teeth and suffered nervous system damage. Despite receiving treatment, Kkae eventually died on May 19.

Another dog, Sumsumi, was taken to a hospital covered in bruises but died the day after the incident. However, a direct causal link between the BB gun attack and Sumsumi's death could not be established, so charges related to the death were not included in the indictment.

The court found the crime serious, considering the means and methods used and the circumstances at the time. Judge Kim said, "They broke into the victim's home, repeatedly fired a BB gun at the pet dogs, injuring and inflicting pain on them while also damaging property." The judge added, "Considering the means and methods used and the circumstances, the crime is serious."

Prosecutors had sought prison terms of two years each for two of the defendants and one year and six months for the remaining defendant. In determining the sentences, the court took into account that the defendants admitted to the facts of the case and that some had no prior criminal record.

Animal protection group Beagle Rescue Network had earlier called the incident "a brutal act of violence in which an illegally modified firearm was fired indiscriminately at living beings" and urged the court to impose severe punishment. On the day of the trial, animal protection groups and a Marine Corps veterans' association also went to the courthouse and submitted petitions seeking severe punishment, bearing 120,000 and 100,000 signatures, respectively.

The owners of the dogs said, "We never received a sincere apology from the perpetrators," adding, "There will be no settlement." The Marine Corps veterans' association also welcomed the prison sentences, saying, "We do not consider those who tarnished the honor of the Marine Corps to be Marines."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.