This Korea Times file photo shows the Jeju Dongbu Police Station. A man is being investigated on suspicion of slaughtering his dog in front of other dogs on Jeju Island.

A man is being investigated on suspicion of slaughtering his dog in front of other dogs in Jeju.

According to the Jeju Dongbu Police Station on Friday, the man in his 60s allegedly killed the dog at a fruit farm in Jocheon, a town located in the northeast of the island, on June 12.

He reportedly told police that he did so to have "boshintang," or a dog meat stew, due to his deteriorating health.

An animal rights group that first reported the case to police accused the owner of killing the dog and boiling its meat in front of two other dogs.

If confirmed, he could be indicted on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act, which bans "an act of killing (an animal) in a cruel way such as hanging" and doing so "in an open area such as on the street or in front of other animals of the same kind watching."

Violators of the law could face up to three years in prison or a maximum fine of 30 million won ($22,000).

In January, the National Assembly passed a bill to prohibit the slaughter and sale of dogs for their meat. But the man is not subject to this law as it will come into force in 2027.