Dog that bit an 8-year-old child will not be euthanized... Transferred to animal welfare group

Prosecutors Hand Over Accident Dog to Entrusted Organization
Organization Says "Killing One Dog Won't Solve the Problem"

A dog that bit an 8-year-old child while wandering around an apartment complex with its leash off will be handed over to an animal organization without being euthanized.

On the 22nd, the Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office announced that it had decided to finally transfer the dog involved in the incident to the animal protection organization currently entrusted with its care (the Beagle Rescue Center, a non-profit organization). The prosecution stated, "In order to euthanize the dog, cooperation from the head of the animal protection center and a veterinarian is essential under the Animal Protection Act, but this is difficult to expect."

An accident dog living in an animal protection organization.
[Photo by Beagle Rescue Network, an animal organization, Instagram capture]

They added, "(The dog) is currently receiving training and protection under strict management by experts," and explained, "Considering the Beagle Rescue Center's expressed intention to continue managing the dog, as well as similar cases where transfer decisions were made, we comprehensively reviewed the relevant laws and regulations and made this decision."

Previously, in July of last year, a Jindo mixed-breed dog wandering around an apartment complex in Ulju-gun, Ulsan City, with its leash off, attacked an 8-year-old boy, A, biting his neck and limbs.

At the time, the dog attacked A for more than two minutes, but a delivery worker who witnessed the scene reportedly chased the dog away by swinging a handcart, separating it from A. A sustained severe injuries to his neck and limbs, underwent suturing surgery, and received inpatient treatment.

The Ulsan District Court sentenced the dog’s owner, in his 80s, to a fine of 5 million won on charges of negligence causing injury on the 31st of last month and ordered the confiscation of the dog. However, confiscation does not mean euthanasia; it is not the disposal of seized property, so the dog became state property and was transferred to the organization currently entrusted with its care.

Following the ruling, public opinion arose demanding the dog be euthanized. Some netizens reacted strongly, saying things like "Is the dog above humans?" and "Human rights are collapsing while trying to protect animal rights."

In response, the center stated, "Killing one dog does not solve the fundamental problem of dog bite incidents," and argued, "Although the dog was involved in the incident, the responsibility lies with the owner who failed to properly control and manage the dog, and it is appropriate to hold only the owner accountable."