"If Only There Were Kids" Rottweiler 'Dog Bite Incident' Sparks Public Outrage

A Dangerous Dog Attacks People and Pets in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi
"It Charged Like It Wanted to Kill... I Fell Instantly"
Over 2,000 Dog Bite Incidents Annually in the Past 3 Years
Experts Urge Thorough Socialization and Muzzle Training

An incident occurred in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, where a dangerous dog without a muzzle attacked people and companion dogs, causing public outrage. / Photo by Internet Community Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Public outrage is growing following an incident where a dangerous dog without a muzzle attacked people. Experts emphasize that owners must exercise special caution when raising large companion dogs that can pose a threat to humans. They also stress that appropriate safety measures must be taken when raising such dangerous dogs.

◆"It charged at me like it wanted to kill me and attacked me and my dog"

On the 4th, a post titled "Help with Dangerous Dog Incident" was uploaded on an online community.

The author explained the situation, saying, "On the 28th of last month, around 6 p.m., while walking in Daeseong-ri, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, my dog and I were attacked by a Rottweiler without a leash or muzzle. When I saw the Rottweiler charging as if to kill, I tried to run away holding my dog, but I was pushed down to the ground in an instant."

According to the author, the Rottweiler that charged at them immediately bit the dog's belly, and in the process of trying to separate them, the author was also bitten on the face and hands, sustaining serious injuries. The author also posted photos of the severely injured dog and themselves.

The owner of the dangerous dog, Mr. A, stated during the police investigation, "I put the muzzle on when leaving the house, but I briefly removed it in a quiet area, and then the accident happened." / Photo by Yonhap News

He added, "The Rottweiler's owner chased after us but could not control his dog, which was without a leash or muzzle. I barely escaped and decided to take my dog to a safe place by car. When I returned to the scene 10 to 15 minutes later, the owner had fled with his dog," he said.

According to the Gapyeong Police Station on the 5th, the Rottweiler's owner, Mr. A, contacted the police voluntarily and expressed his intention to be investigated. Mr. A stated to the police, "I put the muzzle and leash on the Rottweiler when leaving home, but I briefly removed them in a secluded area, and the accident happened."

Regarding suspicions of fleeing after the accident, he explained, "The dog suddenly ran off, and I was flustered trying to calm it down. When I managed to handle the situation, the victim had already left."

The police plan to charge Mr. A with violating the Animal Protection Act and send the case to the prosecution.

◆Over 2,000 dog bite incidents annually... Calls for a qualification system

This is not the first incident where a dangerous dog without a muzzle attacked people or animals. On July 25 last year, in a back alley in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, a dangerous dog without a muzzle attacked and killed a small Spitz dog. The Spitz's owner was also injured while trying to intervene.

According to the current Animal Protection Act, dogs must wear leashes when outside. Especially, for dangerous dog breeds such as △Dosa dogs △American Pit Bull Terriers △American Staffordshire Terriers △Staffordshire Bull Terriers △Rottweilers, muzzle-wearing is also mandatory.

However, dog bite incidents have not decreased. According to the 'Dog Bite Emergency Transport Status' compiled by the Fire Agency in 2019, over 2,000 dog bite incidents occurred annually from 2016 to 2018.

Medical expenses are also rising. According to statistics on medical expenses for dog bite victims released by the Insurance Development Institute, the average medical cost per victim reached 2 million KRW. The average medical cost increased by 61.4%, from 1.48 million KRW in 2014 to 2.39 million KRW in 2018.

On July 25 last year, a dangerous dog attacked and killed a small Spitz dog. / Photo by Yonhap News TV

As a result, public outrage is growing. There are calls for stricter management of qualifications for owners raising dangerous dogs.

A 20-something office worker, Mr. A, said, "When I see a dangerous dog as big as a person passing by on the street, I involuntarily feel intimidated. Such animals obviously require their owners to manage safety thoroughly," expressing frustration.

Another office worker, Mr. B (29), said, "What if there had been a small child? This is clearly the owner's responsibility. We need stricter laws to manage dangerous animals and a qualification system for owners. Only then can humans coexist with dangerous dogs," he argued.

◆Expert: "If raising dangerous dogs, thorough socialization and muzzle training are essential"

Experts warn that large dogs weighing tens of kilograms or more can be dangerous to people and emphasize owners' compliance with safety measures.

Animal trainer Kang Hyungwook warned on his YouTube channel 'Kang Hyungwook's Bodum TV' in August 2019, "Dangerous dog breeds usually weigh over 30 kg, sometimes up to 50 kg. They have large heads and mouths and very strong biting power, so they can be truly dangerous."

He added, "If you raise a dangerous dog, you must thoroughly socialize it from a young age, and especially, muzzle training must be done without fail," repeatedly emphasizing the importance of muzzle-wearing.

On the 5th, Kang posted on his Instagram, advising, "The Rottweiler owner who allowed the dog to attack the victim must be found, and the Rottweiler should be separated from the owner who raised it irresponsibly and caused the accident."

He also said, "I hope the dangerous dog owner who caused the incident will be investigated and punished appropriately. In the case of the Rottweiler, after being handed over to a quarantine facility (shelter), a proper temperament evaluation should be conducted to decide whether it returns to the original owner, finds a new owner, remains in the shelter for life, or is euthanized."

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