Reward Offered for Reporting Companion Dogs Without Leash or Muzzle... Animal Protection Act Amendment Proposed

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] A bill has been proposed to provide rewards for reporting dog owners who do not put leashes or muzzles on their pets.

The current Animal Protection Act requires that registered pets be equipped with safety devices such as leashes and muzzles when taken outside. In particular, when going out with a dangerous dog over three months old, owners must use a leash, muzzle, or a locked carrier to prevent escape.

On the 18th, Park Deokheum, a member of the People Power Party, announced plans to introduce an amendment to the Animal Protection Act aimed at reducing the likelihood of safety accidents caused by pets. The proposed amendment includes provisions to pay a certain reward to those who report owners who fail to comply with these obligations.

Additionally, the amendment raises the penalties for injury accidents caused by failure to comply with safety device requirements from imprisonment of up to 2 years or a fine of up to 20 million won to imprisonment of up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

Furthermore, penalties for fatal accidents have been increased from imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30 million won to imprisonment of up to 7 years or a fine of up to 70 million won. If the owner flees after the accident or does not disclose that they are the owner, aggravated punishment will be applied.

Park Deokheum stated, "We need to raise the sense of responsibility," and explained the purpose of the bill by saying, "In the past five years, there have been 11,152 cases of people being bitten by dogs and transported to hospitals," and "More than 2,000 dog bite incidents occur every year."