Suddenly Attacked and Critically Injured Upon Encounter
Owner: "Tried to Stop Dogs but It Was Not Enough"
'Namyangju Dog Bite Death Incident' Again After Two Months... Anxious Citizens
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] An accident occurred where six dangerous dogs without leashes and muzzles attacked a mother and daughter who were taking a walk, causing serious injuries. This happened just two months after a fatal dog bite accident in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province last May.
Dog bite accidents mostly occur due to the owner's negligence, which adds to the regret. The police have booked the owner, Mr. A, in his 60s, on charges of serious injury due to negligence and violation of the Animal Protection Act, and are currently investigating.
According to Mungyeong Police Station in Gyeongbuk on the 27th, at around 7:39 PM on the 25th, a mother and daughter in their 60s and 40s were seriously injured after being attacked by six dogs without leashes and muzzles on a riverside walking trail in Dalji-ri, Yeongsun-myeon, Mungyeong City.
The owner, Mr. A, had three Greyhounds and three mixed-breed dogs that he raised, all unleashed, and was following them on a cultivator about 10 to 20 meters behind.
The mother and daughter happened to be taking a walk there when the dogs suddenly charged at them in a pack and began biting. As a result, the mother and daughter suffered severe injuries including bites to the head, face, and neck. They were immediately taken to the hospital for treatment, but their condition is reported to be critical.
Mr. A said in the police investigation, "When one dog suddenly charged, the others started attacking together. I immediately got off the cultivator to stop the dogs, but it was not enough." Mr. A, a farmer, is known to have raised hunting dogs to prevent wild animals such as roe deer and wild boars from approaching.
A large dog attacked and killed a woman in her 50s in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Namyangju Fire Station
This accident adds to the sorrow as it occurred just two months after the fatal dog bite accident in Namyangju. Previously, a woman in her 50s was bitten on the back of her neck by a large dog at the entrance of a mountain in Saneung-ri, Jingun-eup, Namyangju, and died. The dog had leash marks but was unleashed at the time.
The victim struggled with the dog for about three minutes before barely escaping and collapsing in front of a factory across the street. A factory employee found her and reported the incident, but she eventually died while being transported to the hospital. The Northern Namyangju Police identified a man in his 60s, Mr. B, who operates an illegal dog farm near the accident site, as the owner based on records of adopting a dog similar to the large dog involved.
Following the fatal dog bite accident and now a serious injury incident, criticism is mounting over the owners' negligent safety management. One netizen commented, "The owner may not know if the dog bites, but people around feel threatened when they see large dogs," adding, "How careless must one be to let not just one but several dangerous dogs roam without leashes?"
Under the Animal Protection Act, the breeds required to wear muzzles are limited to five types of dangerous dogs: Dosa dogs, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Rottweilers. The Greyhounds raised by Mr. A are not included in these five dangerous breeds. However, since Greyhounds are known as hunting dogs and can pose a threat to people, it has been pointed out that the owner should have at least used leashes.
Animal trainer Kang Hyungwook warned on his YouTube channel 'Kang Hyungwook's Bodum TV,' "(Dangerous dogs) usually weigh over 30kg, and can be as heavy as 50kg," adding, "They have big heads, big mouths, and very strong biting power. So they can be really dangerous."
He continued, "If I were to raise a dangerous dog, I would thoroughly socialize it from a young age, and especially make sure to train it to wear a muzzle without fail," emphasizing responsibility, "If dangerous dogs see people reacting with fear, they may perceive it as 'attacking my family' and become wary of everyone around. Owners must train them well."
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