As South Korea grapples with an intense heatwave, a photo of a dog kept inside a refrigerator at a pizza shop in Busan has gone viral, sparking public outrage and prompting a police investigation over potential animal abuse.
The incident, reported to Busan Jungbu Police Station at around 8:10 PM on July 29, alleged that an elderly Maltese dog was found in a refrigerator used for food storage. Police later confirmed that the fridge was not set to a dangerously low temperature. Authorities are now investigating whether the pet owner violated the Animal Protection Act.
The dog, an 11-year-old female named Cookie, belongs to a woman in her 60s who owns the pizza shop. Speaking to Yonhap News, the woman said she placed Cookie in the lower compartment of the fridge out of concern for the dog’s health. Cookie had just been discharged from a week-long hospital stay for acute heart disease, and the veterinarian had warned that extreme heat could be fatal. The shop’s air conditioner had reportedly broken down, prompting the woman to use the fridge as a temporary cooling measure.
“I only put her in for short periods, with a cushion, and took her out again,” she explained. “It was a mistake to place her in a fridge used for storing sauces, but I was only trying to protect her. Cookie is like a daughter to me. I sincerely apologize to my customers.”
Animal welfare expert Shim In Seop, head of the group LIFE, noted that intent plays a crucial role in determining animal abuse. “Based on the explanation, there doesn’t seem to be malicious intent,” he said, “but caution is still necessary—refrigerators are not appropriate places for animals.”
Veterinarians also weighed in, warning that elderly dogs with heart conditions are especially vulnerable during heatwaves. Moon Hee Seop, director of The Hue Animal Medical Center in Busan, said, “While I understand the owner’s concern, using cooling mats or other safer alternatives would be better than a refrigerator.”
The investigation is ongoing as public debate continues over the boundaries between concern and carelessness in extreme weather.
