A Pack of Stray Dogs Appears Right in Front of Kindergarten... Surrounding Vehicles and Barking

Medium-sized dog weighing over 10kg
Presumed abandoned dog... "Caution advised due to wild behavior"

In Daegu Dong-gu, a pack of about 10 stray dogs has been roaming near a kindergarten, even threatening vehicles, causing growing anxiety among citizens.

According to an SBS report on the 27th, a video captured a pack of stray dogs suddenly surrounding a white vehicle near a road in the Innovation City area of Dong-gu, Daegu, close to midnight. The video was reportedly taken by a nearby apartment resident who was awakened by the dogs barking. In the footage, the driver of the white vehicle appears startled as the pack of stray dogs, estimated to be medium-sized dogs weighing over 10kg, gather around the car immediately after entering a three-way intersection, causing the driver to reverse and stop the car.

A video showing a pack of stray dogs approaching a passenger car on a road in the Innovation City area of Dong-gu, Daegu. Inside the yellow circle, the group of stray dogs can be seen. [Image source=SBS news screen capture]

The problem is that there is a kindergarten just a 30-second walk from where the stray dogs appeared, and an elementary school within 10 minutes. A kindergarten parent, Mr. A, told SBS, "When we see the stray dogs, we don’t yet know how to respond, and we are very worried and scared that they might attack." A kindergarten teacher, Ms. B, said, "I’m worried they might come into the kindergarten when the children are there."

Most of the stray dogs appear to be abandoned pets. Experts warn that when stray dogs form packs, they exhibit wildness similar to wolves and tend to be hostile toward humans, urging caution. This is not the first time a pack of stray dogs has appeared in this area. In 2022, there were multiple complaints to local authorities from residents of a nearby apartment complex who felt threatened by a pack of stray dogs believed to be abandoned pets. At that time, local authorities identified at least 15 stray dogs, which were thought to be living in nearby hills. The area where the stray dogs appeared is densely populated with three apartment complexes housing about 1,700 households, prompting Dong-gu to post warning banners about the presence of stray dogs to ensure the safety of residents and children.

The Daegu Fire and Safety Headquarters has responded to over 6,000 calls for capturing stray dogs in the past four years. Last year, the number of captures increased by 20% compared to the previous year, reaching about 1,100 cases. Dong-gu is reported to be setting up capture traps and cooperating with related agencies to catch the stray dogs. However, abandoned dogs tend to have wide roaming ranges and are very cautious, so it may take some time before they voluntarily enter the traps. Abandoned dogs are not considered harmful wild animals and cannot be captured with firearms; under the Animal Protection Act, they are designated as subjects for rescue and protection measures.