Should Dogs Involved in Biting Incidents Be Euthanized Unconditionally? What Is Your Opinion?

Most Dog Bite Accidents Caused by Owner Negligence
Euthanasia Cannot Be a Fundamental Solution
Legislation Proposed to Strengthen Owner Responsibility for Safety Accident Prevention
Seoul City Provides Socialization Training Programs for Companion Dogs

On the 11th of last month, an 8-year-old child was bitten by a dog in an apartment complex in Ulsan. Photo by BobaeDream capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Intern Lee Gyehwa] Recently, as dog bite incidents have surged, calls for euthanizing aggressive dogs have grown louder. However, since these incidents keep recurring, many argue that such measures are merely one-time actions. Experts suggest that because dog bite accidents often result from owners' negligence, efforts should focus on educating owners and socializing companion dogs.

On the 11th of last month, an incident occurred in an apartment complex in Ulsan where a dog roaming without a leash bit an 8-year-old elementary school boy, injuring him. The victim, A, tried to escape from the dog but fell on the ground and was bitten on the neck and other areas for more than two minutes. A was rescued with the help of a nearby delivery worker but suffered severe injuries requiring suturing surgeries on his neck and limbs.

As the population of pet owners exceeds 15 million, dog bite incidents are also on the rise. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the 22nd, there were 2,197 dog bite incidents reported in 2021. Additionally, data from the Fire Agency shows that from 2016 to 2020, about 11,000 dog bite incidents occurred, averaging over 2,000 cases annually.

With repeated dog bite incidents, there have been calls to increase the severity of punishments for owners and to strengthen euthanasia measures for aggressive dogs. However, experts point out that harsher penalties and euthanasia are not fundamental solutions.

A fundamental solution to dog bite incidents is pointed out to be education for dog owners and their pets first. Photo by Beagle Rescue Network Instagram capture

Lee Wonbok, head of the Korea Animal Protection Union, said, "Euthanasia as a form of retaliation or punishment cannot be a fundamental solution," adding, "We need to seriously consider measures to address dog bite incidents." He further suggested, "Education on owners' negligence and sufficient socialization training for companion dogs must follow."

Yoo Hyungah, a veterinary surgeon with a master's degree in veterinary surgery from Seoul National University, also pointed out that a lack of socialization education for companion dogs can lead to aggression and hypersensitivity. He said, "Before adopting a companion dog, education to strengthen owners' responsibility for unforeseen situations (behavioral issues, health problems, etc.) should be prioritized," adding, "Even after adoption, continuous attention and effort are needed to understand the dog's temperament and habits and to provide ongoing socialization training to correct them."

In this regard, a bill to prevent safety accidents and strengthen owner responsibility has also been proposed. On the 27th of last month, Democratic Party lawmaker Eo Gigu introduced an amendment to the Animal Protection Act that mandates 200 hours of safety accident prevention education for owners in the event of a dog bite, arguing that penalties or fines alone cannot be a fundamental solution.

Lawmaker Eo stated, "I have introduced an amendment to the Animal Protection Act that allows safety accident prevention education orders to be imposed alongside penalties to prevent accidents involving dangerous dogs and to strengthen owners' sense of responsibility."

Local governments have decided to provide socialization education programs for companion dogs. Seoul City will start the second half of the year courses next month for the free education program 'Seoul Companion Animal Citizen School,' which offers etiquette education and behavior correction. Seoul City will also hold weekend one-day walking training classes where owners can learn proper walking methods and precautions with their dogs.

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