Is Dangerous Dog Insurance Effective... Still Uncertain Due to Limited Breeds and Coverage Amounts (Comprehensive)

Mandatory Registration from February
Limited to 5 Types of Dangerous Dogs under Animal Protection Act... Amendment Proposed but Low Interest
Coverage Amount Lower Compared to Advanced Countries

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Office worker Park Hyunjin (28, pseudonym) recently had a heart-stopping experience while taking a walk near her home. A dog owner, tying their shoelaces, momentarily let go of the leash, and a Maltese suddenly ran toward Park, who was walking nearby. Park was startled and fell, but fortunately, the owner quickly grabbed the leash, preventing a major accident. Park said, “Regardless of the size of the pet dog, the thought that it could bite a person caused fear,” and added, “Even if it’s not a large or fierce breed, I felt that if bitten by a dog, one should be protected.”

As dog bite incidents have become frequent, mandatory enrollment in 'dangerous dog insurance' will begin next month, but concerns are being raised about its effectiveness. This is because the coverage is limited to certain breeds and the compensation limits are very low compared to advanced countries overseas.

According to the insurance industry on the 5th, from February, owners of dangerous dogs must compulsorily enroll in liability insurance. Under the Animal Protection Act, this applies to five breeds classified as dangerous dogs: Dosa dogs, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, and their mixed breeds. Owners who fail to enroll in this insurance will be fined up to 3 million won.

The dangerous dog liability insurance covers 80 million won if a person dies or suffers permanent disability due to a dangerous dog, and 15 million won if injured. It also covers at least 2 million won if another animal is injured.

Dog bite incidents frequent, but liability insurance covers only 5 breeds
Little interest in Animal Protection Act amendment to take measures based on individual dog characteristics

Some argue that limiting coverage to five breeds is problematic given that dog bite incidents occur regardless of breed. The five dangerous dog breeds were designated in 2008 based on overseas cases and the breeding purposes of those breeds, but the scope is considered narrow.

For example, the breed of the dog owned by actor Kim Min-kyo, whose dog bit and killed an elderly man in his 80s last May, was a Belgian Sheepdog, which is not included in the five dangerous breeds. The breed involved in the 2017 dog bite incident involving singer Choi Si-won’s dog was a French Bulldog. On the pet dog community 'Gangsa-mo' Naver cafe, searching for 'dog bite incidents' reveals posts reporting incidents involving various breeds such as Jindo dogs, Welsh Corgis, and Siberian Huskies.

Attempts to amend the Animal Protection Act, which designates the five dangerous dog breeds, are ongoing but are expected to face difficulties. On the 17th, Park Hong-geun, a member of the Democratic Party, proposed an amendment to the Animal Protection Act to take measures based on individual dog characteristics rather than breed, but interest remains low. Lee Hyung-joo, head of the Animal Welfare Research Institute Aware, pointed out, “Animal-related bills rarely receive attention. Although they are necessary for both animals and people, discussions on these bills are sluggish.”

Compared to advanced countries overseas, the scope of dangerous dog breeds is narrow. In Germany, while specific breeds are designated as dangerous dogs, owners of dogs over 40 cm in height or weighing more than 20 kg are required to compulsorily enroll in liability insurance. In the United States, 29 states manage dangerous dogs based on individual dog characteristics rather than specific breeds.

Lower compensation limits compared to overseas... Minnesota sets minimum mandatory compensation limit at $300,000

There are also voices criticizing the low maximum compensation limits. Lee Ji-hyun (40, pseudonym), who experienced a dog bite incident, said, “Dog bite incidents cause not only medical expenses but also disruptions to economic activities and trauma related to dogs. If a person dies or becomes disabled, the trauma would be even greater, so isn’t the compensation limit too low?”

The compensation limits of Korea’s dangerous dog insurance are relatively low compared to advanced countries overseas. Minnesota in the United States has set the minimum mandatory compensation limit for dangerous dog liability insurance at $300,000 (approximately 326 million won). Washington State also set the minimum mandatory compensation limit at $250,000 (approximately 271 million won).

Lee Hyung-joo said, “Because dogs that attack people are not determined by breed, limiting coverage to only five breeds makes it difficult to protect people,” and added, “A system to verify mandatory insurance enrollment and institutional measures to establish a mature pet dog culture are fundamentally necessary.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.