Under current law, there are five breeds of dogs that are considered “dangerous”: Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Rottweiler. (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)
UIJONGBU, Apr. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – Starting April 27, residents of Gyeonggi Province in South Korea will be required to obtain a permit from the provincial governor to keep certain dog breeds designated as potentially dangerous, according to an announcement made on April 1 by local authorities.
The new permit system for “dangerous dogs” stems from revisions to the Animal Protection Act in 2022, which granted a two-year grace period before taking effect.
Under the new regulations, owners must register their dogs, purchase liability insurance, have them spayed or neutered, and then apply for a gubernatorial permit to keep breeds like the Dogo Argentino, Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Rottweiler, as well as any mixed breeds.
Other dog breeds can also be classified as dangerous if they display aggressive behavior or cause harm to people or animals, subject to a temperament evaluation.
The governor’s office will conduct temperament assessments before granting or denying permits for individual dangerous dogs. Existing owners of these breeds must obtain permits by October 28, within six months of the law’s implementation.
“We aim for a smooth transition with the new system to prevent dog bites and ensure public safety while respecting the rights of responsible owners,” said Shin Byeong-ho, director of Gyeonggi’s Animal Welfare Division.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
