"Pretty" 40s Bitten While Trying to Pet Jindo Dog, Owner Sued

Police to Conduct Additional Investigation on Dog Owners
Approximately 2,000 Dog Bite Incidents Occur Annually

A dog bite incident occurred in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] A man in his 40s who was bitten while trying to pet a Jindo dog he encountered in front of a cafe in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, has filed a complaint with the police against the dog's owner on charges of negligence causing injury.

The Wonmi Police Station in Bucheon recently received the complaint filed on the 8th by Mr. A, in his 40s, against the owner of the Jindo dog that bit him, and has completed the investigation of the complainant.

According to media reports, Mr. A was bitten on the ear and arm by the Jindo dog near a cafe in Bucheon around 7 p.m. on the 24th of last month, receiving a medical diagnosis of injuries requiring two weeks of treatment. At the time of the incident, he reportedly asked the owner, Mr. B (also in his 40s), for permission, saying, "The dog is pretty and handsome. May I pet it once?" before extending his hand and being bitten by the Jindo dog.

Police investigations revealed conflicting statements from the two parties. Mr. A stated, "Mr. B said I could pet the dog, so I did and got injured," while Mr. B claimed, "I warned that the dog might bite."

The police plan to decide whether to formally charge the owner after further investigation.

Meanwhile, dog bite incidents have been occurring frequently recently. On the 11th of last month, in an apartment complex in Ulju-gun, Ulsan, a dog owned by a man in his 70s attacked and injured an 8-year-old boy. In May, in an apartment complex in Taean-gun, Chungnam, a 7-year-old child and her mother were severely bitten on the face by two dogs. According to the Fire Department, more than 2,000 dog bite incidents have occurred annually from 2016 to 2020.