To Own a Dangerous Dog, You Must Undergo This Assessment... Penalties for Noncompliance

Temperament Assessment Committee Conducts Owner Interviews and On-Site Evaluations
Breeding Permit Granted if Dog Is Deemed to Have Low Aggression
Owner Pays 250,000 Won Per Dog for Assessment

In order to safely raise dangerous dogs, owners will now be required to obtain a breeding permit from their local government and have their dogs undergo a temperament assessment.

The city of Busan announced on May 7, 2025, that it will implement a temperament assessment for dangerous dogs. Since July of last year, the city has been enforcing a dangerous dog breeding permit system in accordance with the revised Animal Protection Act.

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This system requires anyone wishing to breed a dangerous dog to meet certain requirements and obtain a permit from the city or provincial governor.

According to the Animal Protection Act, dangerous dogs are defined as Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Rottweiler.

The temperament assessment is conducted by a committee of experts, who evaluate the dog and its owner through interviews and on-site assessments. If the dog is judged to have low aggression, permission to breed the dangerous dog will be granted.

The dog owner must pay a fee of 250,000 won per dog for the temperament assessment, while any additional assessment costs will be covered by the city.

The assessment examines the dog's aggression and the owner's interactions with the dog in about 12 different scenarios. These include situations that may startle or frighten the dog when approached, as well as when other dogs or people pass by.

Anyone who breeds a dangerous dog without obtaining the required permit will face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won. A guidance period is currently in effect, and current dangerous dog owners must obtain a permit by October 26, 2025.