Suspicions of exploiting pet dog 'Park Na-rae' for begging..Father says "She must come back" amid abuse controversy

*This content was translated by AI.

'Curious Story Y' tracks Park Na-rae and her grandfather, Park Cha-gyu.

SBS's 'Curious Story Y,' airing at 8:50 p.m. on the 31st, follows the whereabouts of Park Na-rae, who disappeared after the controversy over abusing a pet dog for begging.

Last winter, a short video posted on social media sparked public outrage. An elderly man was performing on a cold street with a small Maltese by his side, and a donation box left by passersby stood in front of him. Suspicions spread that the dog was being used to earn money, and the man quickly became the center of an animal abuse controversy.

The dog's name is Park Na-rae. An animal protection organization urgently separated Na-rae from her grandfather, suspecting abuse, and Grandfather Park Cha-gyu was immediately labeled as "the owner who exploited his pet dog for begging." However, the grandfather's claim that he had raised Na-rae like a child for eight years told a different story. He denied ever abusing her or using her to make money.

Park Cha-gyu said, "I only have my daughter as family. Na-rae, you must come back to your dad. Dad is struggling so much."

To the grandfather, Park Na-rae was not just a pet dog. She was his one and only family, named after a former pet dog who passed away 15 years ago.

However, after meeting with representatives from an animal protection organization who claimed to be local residents, the grandfather's life and Na-rae's routine changed completely. The organization alleged that the grandfather failed to properly care for the sick Na-rae and used her for begging under the guise of street performances. In contrast, the grandfather insists everything stemmed from misunderstandings. One side is an organization claiming to have rescued an abused pet dog; the other is an owner who feels his family was taken away. From the start, their accounts of the same incident were at odds.

The animal protection organization stated, "We can't help but think that the owner viewed Na-rae not as a being capable of feeling pain or emotions, but simply as a means to earn money."

Nearly half a year after the emergency separation, the grandfather remains unaware of Na-rae's whereabouts. There were reports that the local government requested the animal protection organization return Na-rae, yet she has still not returned. Where exactly is Na-rae, who was supposedly rescued? Was that day's choice truly for Na-rae's benefit, or did it simply take away her only family from an elderly man?

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*This content was translated by AI.