“Dog bites man” isn’t news, the old saying goes, but “Man bites dog” is. What’s really unusual, though, so unusual that it wasn’t even considered in the adage, is what happened recently in Kobe: Man throws dog.
The incident took place on July 25 in the city’s Hyogo Ward. At around 5 p.m., a passerby on the street noticed a dog with a collar but no visible owner in the vicinity. Since the dog happened to be near a pet-grooming salon, the passerby took the pooch inside, thinking the staff might recognize the Shiba Inu. None of the workers did, though, but when they called the police to see what could be done, the officer who was dispatched had seen the Shiba before.
The same dog had been spotted unattended on the streets once before, and the dispatched officer was the same member of the police force who’d taken it into custody at that time before returning the animal to its owner. Since the officer knew who the owner was, a 55-year-old man who lives in the same ward as the salon, he went to the owner’s house and told him what had happened. They then returned together to the salon, but when they arrived, the man refused to take the Shiba back. “I've got no need for a dog like this!” the man angrily yelled, commanding “You take him to the animal shelter!”
According to the police, during his rant the man picked up the dog, which is 60 centimeters long and weights 6 kilograms and threw the animal at the officer, after which he was placed under arrest.
You might wonder what specific part of the penal code you’ll run afoul of if you start throwing dogs at people. In this case, the crime the man is being charged with is “obstruction of official duties.” It’s a broad offense, similar to Japan’s “forced obstruction of business” charge that’s often used in cases of harmful mischief and mayhem in shops, restaurants, and other places of business.
Neither the dog nor the officer suffered injuries in the incident. The animal showed no visible signs of physical abuse from its owner, but was taken into custody at the police station.
Source: Sun-TV News via Hachima Kiko, Kobe Shimbun Next
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- External Link
- https://soranews24.com/2023/07/31/man-arrested-for-throwing-dog-at-police-officer-in-kobe/
27 Comments
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englisc aspyrgend
Poor animal. Amazed there is no charge for cruelty to the dog, or is there no such charge in Japanese law? The owner should be given the bill for looking after the dog until a new home is found.
garypen
One would think there would be a law against assaulting a police officer, or one against animal abuse.
I guess that would make too much sense.
Desert Tortoise
Poor dog doesn't deserve that. No dog does. I hope this dog finds a better home that will appreciate the love they give.
Aly Rustom
Man arrested for throwing dog at police officer in Kobe
that's new.
Just when you think you've heard it all...
gaijintraveller
Englisc aspyrgend
In answer to your question, about Japanese law, yes and no. No make that clearer, on paper there is, but in effect there isn't because the police do not enforce it. It is like the laws about purchasing alcohol and cigarettes, there are laws, but they are not enforced.
The police do not consider dogs, cats, animals need protection. However, policemen do.
The man refused to take the Shiba back. “I've got no need for a dog like this!” the man angrily yelled, commanding “You take him to the animal shelter!”
As well as laws on animal abuse there are also laws on paper about abandoning animals, at least on paper.
Rodney
nice tagline, made me laugh.
Have to be careful, my dog doesn’t have a collar and I really use a lead. Impossible to lift him up and throw him though. 46kg.
Fighto!
Yeah, animal abuse. What a laugh, eh?
Antiquesaving
I have an idea it requires some very strong men a shot put field and a competition:
"who can throw the creep the furthest"
Prize: a nice Shiba-ken.
garypen
Huh?
Incredibly bad habit. A collar with name and contact info can save its life. It did for one of mine, and for many thousands of others.
I also assume you meant to type "rarely use a lead". Also, not smart, except in certain safe places and situations.
Garthgoyle
Guess the guy was running out of Pokemon balls.
Hachi, I choose you!
opheliajadefeldt
I bet he could not throw an Old English Mastiff. They can weigh over 100kg or 230 lbs.
ian
Hahaha only read the title hopefully he also caught the dog
Nippori Nick
6kg is at the ligher end, assuming it is an adult dog. Sounds like the owner may have been starving it as well.
Recommend his Doctor test him for senility.
餓死鬼
What a bellend. Couldn't he have taken the dog to the shelter himself?
Also, quite soberly written for a SoraNews article.
Yuuju
My cat is more than 6 kg thats strange
dagon
Throw Mr. resident of Kobe to some feral Tosa dogs.
cleo
Yeah, a 6k Shiba is either a young pup or badly emaciated. My boy is a touch over 15k, granted on the larger side but the vet tells me he's just big for his breed, not overweight.
The jerk should be charged with irresponsible animal husbandry (letting the dog wander outside alone, at least twice), animal cruelty and assaulting a police officer.
And banned from ever owning an animal again.
Dave Fair
I get the feeling the dog escaped rather than be around this miserable excuse of a man! Imagine what happens to it when the cops aren't around! As a dog owner I have little patience for animal abuse. When you are raised without kindness and a gentleness, one tends to be void of compassion and empathy.
pudus
the man picked up the dog and threw the animal at "12"
p....yeeew!
Always be kind to animals...
albaleo
From a quick Google search, it seems there were 170 cases of animal abuse in Japan in 2021. 60 of those involved dogs.
Hello Kitty 321
Unfortunately, in Japan when the police find a stray, it is generally put down.
kaimycahl
Abusing an animal in america is like abusing a person in some cases you get more time in jail especially if the animal rights activist get a hold of the story.
Desert Tortoise
A few months ago there was an article in the Straits Times about an elderly Indonesian man who died trying to protect his beloved dog from animal control officers who were going to take it from him. No reason why, just completely arbitrary. The old man was thrown down by one of the animal regulation staff, hit his head and died. That dog was everything to him. I never saw a follow up article on that either.
Then you read this article about a man so callous he throws his dog away. I makes me think of a t-shirt I saw someone wearing last weekend that said "Dogs make me happy. People make my head hurt". So true.
starpunk
Unbelievable. I'm no PETA person, I'm no animal freak. I'm allergic to hairy animals so I don't have a pet. But you just don't go throwing one at anyone or anything like it's a piece of common garbage. That's major uncool and uncalled for, and yes the startled dog could've attacked the cop and/or got injured itself. And this is assault (of a police officer) and animal abuse and I'm against all of that.
Paul
I feel sorry for the dog!!! The scumbag owner should be fined!
Desert Tortoise
A few years ago we were looking for a Shiba Inu to adopt but over here they are comparatively rare and none were available within a days drive or more. But here you have a guy throwing his Shiba Inu away! There is no justice in the world. This dog deserves a loving home.