Animal Abuse Suspects Plead Guilty
Van Nuys – Two men, who stood accused of animal cruelty, have pled guilty to animal cruelty charges this week.
Fifty-five-year-old Kyong S. Yoo a.k.a. Richard Yoo of Los Angeles pled guilty to one count each of Penal Code 597.1(a), 597.1(b) and 597L. Yoo received 36 months probation and 240 hours of Cal Trans work or 120 days county jail. He must also undergo mandatory counseling, pay restitution to Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA), and cannot own, possess, or maintain an animal for three years.
Forty-seven-year-old Richard Ku Lee of Studio City pled guilty to one count each of Penal Code 597(A) and 597(B) animal cruelty. Lee received 36 months probation and 480 hours of Cal Trans work or 210 days county jail. He must also undergo mandatory counseling, pay restitution to spcaLA, and cannot own, possess, or maintain an animal for three years.
In September, spcaLA Humane Officers received a tip via the Cruelty Tipline that Richard Yoo, the owner of Pet World in Inglewood, was selling sick puppies at his pet shop. Upon arrival, the officers discovered several sick puppies. The officers seized the dogs, and they were transported to an spcaLA facility. After a thorough examination, it was determined that the puppies had a range of health conditions such as upper respiratory problems, mucous from eyes and nose, low weight, etc. spcaLA Humane Officers turned the case over to Inglewood Deputy City Attorney Sam Ahmadpour, who charged Yoo with animal cruelty.
In October, spcaLA received a tip on the Cruelty Tipline that there was an injured dog on the 3900 block of Avenida Del Sol in Studio City. Upon arrival, the officers discovered a Golden Retriever with a chain embedded in its neck. The dog also had a large tumor and cuts under his neck. The dog was seized from Richard Ku Lee and transported to an spcaLA facility where it received medical treatment. spcaLA Humane Officers turned the case over to Deputy City Attorney Don Cocek, who charged Lee with animal cruelty.
About spcaLA
Celebrating 130 years, spcaLA is an independent, nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Southern California. There is no national SPCA, parent organization, or umbrella group that provides financial support to spcaLA. Donations run programs and services including Cruelty Investigation, Disaster Animal Response Team, Humane Education, and a variety of shelter services.
