Former Breeder Arrested for Killing Dogs in Plastic Bags

Yukio Watanabe, 81, was arrested on June 27 on fees of violating the Animal Welfare Act. In May, a search was performed at his house in Moroyama Town, Saitama.

The investigation started following a tip-off in August 2023, alleging that the breeder had starved canine he deemed non-reproductive and sealed them in cages to kill them. During the search, three canine have been discovered lifeless in cages.

The canine, together with Pomeranians and Toy Poodles, have been suspected to have been suffocated by being enclosed in sealed cages.

The following change occurred through the search:

Investigator: “It seems out of touch with public standards. You wouldn’t tell the animal control people about this method, would you?”

Watanabe: “There’s not much need to ask them (the animal control).”

Investigator: “Have they ever asked you about it?”

Watanabe: “No, never.”

Investigator: “Including costs for feed and waste disposal?”

Watanabe: “That costs around 150,000 to 300,000 yen.”

Investigator: “From the sales?”

Watanabe: “Without it, I couldn’t manage.”

Watanabe, who offered puppies at public sale websites, reportedly earned about 27 million yen in 2022. Prior to his arrest, he had admitted in voluntary questioning that conserving non-reproductive canine alive was pricey and that he had killed them to take accountability for his or her destiny.

At Watanabe’s breeding facility, round 180 canine, together with breeding canine and puppies on the market, have been stored. Police rescued 17 canine sick.

Following the search, Watanabe filed for enterprise closure and deserted the care of the rescued canine.

On June 27, Watanabe was arrested on suspicion of suffocating three canine. He admitted to sealing one canine in a plastic bag whereas it was nonetheless alive however denied that the opposite two have been alive on the time, partially denying the costs.

Source: FNN