Residents concerned by the wild dogs are calling on the need to expand capture efforts. (image: Incheon Metropolitan Government)
INCHEON, Feb. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — Controversy is building over Incheon city government’s response to complaints about wild dogs in the region by hiring subcontractors and paying them for the number of dogs captured.
Last year, the port city’s eight counties and district authorities hired private companies to capture some 200 wild dogs in response to a series of complaints that wild canines, including abandoned dogs, were roaming about in packs, and were threatening or even injuring residents.
Authorities paid 500,000 won (US$447) for each full-grown dog, and 200,000 to 300,000 won for younger canines.
Incheon authorities initially set a budget of 53 million won to capture 106 full-grown dogs. The subcontractors caught a whopping 200.
Residents concerned by the wild dogs are calling on the need to expand capture efforts. Last March, two farms in Gyeyang District were harassed by wild dogs, which ended up killing several animals including calves, goats, and chickens.
“I’ve seen packs of wild dogs running about,” said a local resident. “It’s only a matter of time before they start biting, I’m afraid.”
Animal enthusiasts and other residents, however, are blaming the subcontractors for unrestricted capture of wild dogs, including puppies, for money.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
