[Chamtrue?] "Is euthanasia the answer for people and dogs?"... What about overseas?

Legal Basis for Euthanasia of Accident Dogs Insufficient
Foreign Countries Prioritize Owner Responsibility

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Byungseon Gong and Daehyun Kim] Recently, news of an 8-year-old elementary school student's 'dog bite accident' was reported in an apartment complex in Ulsan. Online public opinion surged with comments such as "Dogs that bite people should be euthanized."

However, there is no clear legal basis for euthanizing the dog involved in the accident. When a dog bite accident occurs, the dog's owner can be punished under criminal law for negligence causing injury and violations of the Animal Protection Act, but the dog involved in the accident can only be subject to seizure or other compulsory enforcement. According to Article 130 of the current Criminal Procedure Act, 'seized items that pose a risk of danger may be disposed of,' so if the dog's owner is booked under this provision, the dog can be considered an object used in a crime.

Unlike many foreign countries that recognized animals' independent legal status decades ago, South Korea is only now pushing for a revision of the Civil Act with the intent that 'animals are not objects.' This is why there are criticisms that even if euthanasia of the dog involved in the accident is carried out, specific standards like those overseas must first be established.

Countries with developed pet cultures place more emphasis on the owner's responsibility than on depriving the life of the dog involved in the accident.

Germany, which was the first in the world to enact the Animal Protection Act in 1933, holds owners more accountable through its pet system. Pets are also recognized as 'citizens' and must go through strict adoption procedures. In the case of dangerous dogs, a separate behavioral correction process must be completed before adoption. Therefore, German citizens believe that the responsibility for dog bite accidents lies entirely with the owner, not the dog involved. In 2018, in Hanover, Germany, a Staffordshire Terrier named 'Chico' bit and killed its owner and his son, but more than 250,000 citizens submitted a petition opposing euthanasia attempts, stating "education for the dog involved in the accident is necessary."

The United States also enforces 'dog bite laws' that strictly hold owners responsible for accidents. When the owner is criminally liable and euthanasia of the dog is required, the follow-up procedures are carried out by the 'Animal Control Department' under the supplementary 'Dangerous Dog Law' regulations.

Experts say, "Euthanasia of the dog involved in the accident cannot be a fundamental solution to preventing related accidents." If owners adopt pets again inappropriately, accidents can happen repeatedly. Lee Hyung-joo, director of the Animal Welfare Research Institute Aware, said, "Although standards differ, other countries thoroughly investigate the causes first during the euthanasia decision process. The dog that bit the 8-year-old child must also have its reasons identified first."