SEOUL: The Seoul city government has initiated a strict regulatory measure requiring owners of certain breeds of dogs deemed fierce to obtain official permission by October 26 to continue raising them. Failure to comply with these new stipulations will result in legal consequences, including potential imprisonment or hefty fines.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the directive is a consequence of revisions to the Animal Protection Act. Owners of dogs classified under this act, including breeds such as the Tosa, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, rottweiler, and their mixed breeds, are now compelled to seek approval from municipal or provincial authorities. The approval process involves an aggression assessment test conducted by a panel of experts.
Currently, in Seoul alone, there are 117 registered owners of 179 dogs that fall under the fierce category. Out of these, 34 owners have already submitted applications for 36 dogs. However, 45 individuals have eit
her failed to report their ownership or have relocated to other provinces with a total of 72 dogs, raising concerns about compliance and tracking.
The city government plans to enforce these regulations stringently. Notices will be sent via registered mail to those who have not yet applied for permission. Subsequent inspections will be carried out to identify and penalize non-compliant owners. The penalties for defiance include a sentence of up to one year in prison or fines amounting to 10 million won (approximately US$7,360).
This initiative underscores the city’s commitment to ensuring public safety and animal welfare by regulating the ownership of dogs that could pose a risk to the community.