People stroll with their pet dogs at a lake park in Seoul on Jan. 4, 2022. The length of a leash between a pet dog and its owner should be maintained within 2 meters for pedestrian safety starting Feb. 11. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 21 (Korea Bizwire) — The increasing number of pets has led to an increase in cases of dog bites, which is becoming a concern for citizens.
The National Fire Agency reported that there were 2,114 reported dog bite cases in 2020, 2,154 in 2019 and 2,368 in 2018.
Dog bite accidents tended to occur most frequently between May and August when outdoor activities are popular.
With the end of social distancing measures, there is a high chance that they may occur more often.
“Dogs, big or small, have the instinct to bite and I am scared of that,” said Choi Su-il, a 72-year-old man. “I see people leaving their dogs unleashed without a muzzle, claiming that they won’t bite. I don’t buy it.”
An 8-year-old boy was severely wounded by an unleashed, unmuzzled dog at an apartment complex in Ulsan last week.
CCTV footage showed that the dog did not let go of the child for two minutes, before a deliveryman managed to drive away the dog.
If the dog owner is deemed responsible for the dog bite, he or she may face criminal charges for causing accidental injury.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
