“Loyal Dogs Also Prevent Crime” … Second Domestic Companion Dog Patrol Launched in Busan

Dongmyung University Launch Ceremony, Agreement with ‘Yugigyeon Eopsneun Dosi’ and Start of Education Program

The inauguration ceremony of the Busan Companion Dog Patrol.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] “A loyal dog also prevents crime!”

An era has opened in Busan where well-behaved and intelligent companion dogs are active in crime prevention and public safety.

The Busan Metropolitan Police Commission and the nonprofit organization ‘Ugi-gyeon Eopsneun Dosi’ (City Without Stray Dogs) held the launch ceremony of the Busan Companion Dog Patrol Unit on the 1st at Dongmyeong University in Yongdang-dong, Nam-gu, Busan. The launch of the companion dog patrol unit assisting in crime prevention and public safety is the second nationwide following Seoul.

On this day, Dongmyeong University signed an agreement with Ugi-gyeon Eopsneun Dosi and also held an open campus event for prospective freshmen of the Department of Companion Animal Health Science.

The companion dog patrol unit includes 25 companion dogs and 25 owners. They are scheduled to be deployed soon in Nam-gu and Suyeong-gu to begin activities. The patrol unit’s activities will be expanded throughout Busan in the future. These patrol ‘agents’ are expected to contribute to maintaining urban safety with their excellent sense of smell and loyalty.

The types of companion dogs, selected after fierce competition among 85 dogs evaluated and verified on social skills, etiquette compliance, and other criteria, were diverse.

Retrievers, Groenendaels, Spitz, Huskies, and Shiba Inu volunteered to assist humans. The patrol members’ names are Leo, Snow, Jjujju, Seri, Ari, Cookie, Tammy, Chunbong, Jeong Eon-yeon, Dori, Dubu, Danchu, Seven, Winter, Sinnayo, Jiseul, Bin, Hao, Mari, Woong, Kkoma, Selem, Pickle, Ari, and Luke.

Public interest is focused on community policing activities involving companion dogs, owners, and the police commission. Along with this, curiosity and interest are spreading even among prospective students aiming to become animal health technicians.

Dongmyeong University, through the agreement with Ugi-gyeon Eopsneun Dosi, will continue cooperation in ▲sharing human resources and information ▲training specialized personnel for companion animals and fostering the companion animal industry ▲mentoring to improve job skills of current students and graduates, and field training ▲support cooperation in human resources and facilities.

Busan Autonomous Police Commission Chairman Jeong Yong-hwan, Ugi-gyeon Eopsneun Dosi Central Representative Kim Ji-min, Busan Branch Representative Kwak Geun-ho, Busan Nambu Police Station Chief Moon Bong-gyun, and Dean Lee Hee-cheon of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Gyeongsang National University attended the launch ceremony. The eyes of about 30 prospective students from related departments also brightened the event venue.

Jeong Yong-hwan, Chairman of the Busan Autonomous Police Commission, said, “The patrol members will play a significant role in timely detecting daily risk factors and ensuring that the golden time for rescue is not missed due to delayed response.”

Dongmyeong University President Jeon Ho-hwan, who is also promoting the creation of a pet park, said, “Dongmyeong University, the Autonomous Police Commission, Ugi-gyeon Eopsneun Dosi, and companion dogs have cooperated to open a new era of protecting neighborhoods,” adding, “It will also greatly contribute to improving awareness of companion animals and creating a healthy society.”

Dongmyeong University is pursuing a strategy to lead the regional companion dog industry by attracting the first university animal hospital in Busan and Ulsan and establishing the nation’s first dedicated college, the ‘Companion Animal College’ (Department of Companion Animal Health Science, Department of Dog Grooming and Behavior Correction, Department of Nutritional Food Science).