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Two students admit to burning puppy to death

Two Kaohsiung junior high school students who burned a puppy to death on campus were caught after a local animal charity offered a reward.

The Kaohsiung City Government’s Livestock Health and Inspection Laboratory said yesterday that the students, accompanied by family members, had admitted their guilt over the incident.

The two students showed remorse for what they did and pled for an opportunity to correct their wrongdoing and make a fresh start, the laboratory said, adding that the pair also vowed to serve as volunteers for animal welfare.

They may be subject to fines of between NT$100,000 and NT$500,000 in accordance with the Animal Protection Law (動物保護法) after the city government decides on their liability, the laboratory said, adding that they may face jail time of up to one year if they repeat the offense.

The laboratory began an investigation into the case after a three-month old puppy was found seriously burned in front of Kaohsiung Municipal Cuei-Ping Junior High and Elementary School about two weeks ago.

The dog died shortly after it was taken to the Kaohsiung Concern Stray Animal Association by volunteers. About 80 percent of the puppy’s body suffered third-degree burns.

Association director Wang Chun-ching (王春經) received leads about the two students after she offered a NT$50,000 reward.

Wang said the two ninth-grade students invited two friends to watch as they torched the puppy after applying chafing fuel to the puppy’s body in the school hallway.

The two onlookers fled after the puppy wailed and scurried around in flames, Wang said.

Wang also brought the puppy’s ashes to confront the two students at the school on Monday, while school officials tried to appease angry animal rights activists.

“At first, the students thought it was fun and a practical joke, but they later realized how serious the matter was after counseling from their teacher. They immediately admitted their wrongdoing and showed remorse,” a press release issued by the school’s disciplinary division said.

The statement said the school had punished them by giving them two demerits each and had arranged counseling sessions for them and other students.
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