The Seoul Metropolitan Government will initiate a focused campaign to capture feral dogs from February 15 until the end of March. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced that it will initiate a focused campaign to capture feral dogs from February 15 until the end of March.
This initiative comes in anticipation of increased outdoor activities among citizens with the arrival of spring. The campaign will target major urban mountainous areas such as Gwanaksan and Bukhansan, surrounding walking trails, and residential neighborhoods.
It is estimated that around 200 feral dogs reside in areas like Gwanaksan and Bukhansan. These dogs, often moving in packs, pose ecological disturbances by harming other animal species and threaten citizens by venturing into residential areas.
In a carefully coordinated initiative, around 120 traps, each clearly labeled with identification and contact details, will be deployed to humanely capture the animals.
To ensure the well-being and efficient handling of adult dogs in particular, the operation will increasingly rely on the use of tranquilizer darting, prioritizing both safety and effectiveness in the process.
The city is asking citizens to refrain from approaching the traps and to promptly contact the provided numbers upon discovering a captured dog to facilitate immediate protective measures. It also advised against feeding or attempting to rescue the dogs, as feral dogs, being wary of humans, could attack if they feel threatened.
Captured dogs will be treated as abandoned animals and taken to designated animal protection centers managed by district offices. Following the public notice period for abandoned animals, the dogs will undergo socialization training in collaboration with animal protection organizations before seeking adoptive homes.
Lee Su-yeon, the city government official behind the project, emphasized the need for active cooperation from citizens to ensure smooth capture operations, stating, “The focused capture campaign is carried out for the safe activities of citizens, and we will continue to conduct focused captures during seasons with high effectiveness.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
