Gyeonggi Province Conducts First 'Dangerous Dog Temperament Assessment' of the Year for Local Breeders

Twelve Criteria Assessed for Five Dangerous Dogs
Existing Dangerous Dog Owners Must Obtain Breeding Permits by October 26

Gyeonggi Province announced on June 16 that it conducted the 'Temperament Assessment' for the first time this year on June 14 in Siheung City, in accordance with the Dangerous Dog Breeding Permit System.

Gyeonggi Province conducted the 'Temperament Assessment' for the first time this year on the 14th in Siheung City, in accordance with the Dangerous Dog Breeding Permit System. Photo by Gyeonggi Province

The Dangerous Dog Breeding Permit System, which has been implemented since 2024 under the Animal Protection Act, is a system in which the governor of a city or province grants permission to breed dangerous dogs that have completed animal registration, liability insurance, and neutering, after they have passed a temperament assessment. Accordingly, to breed a dangerous dog, the owner must submit an application for a breeding permit to Gyeonggi Province through the local city or county office within 30 days of acquiring ownership, based on their resident registration.

However, the 373 dangerous dogs currently being bred in the province must obtain a breeding permit by October 26 of this year in accordance with the guidance period set by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Dangerous dog owners are required to pay an assessment fee of 250,000 won.

After receiving the breeding permit application from the dangerous dog owner, the province will notify the owner of the breeding permit if it is determined through the temperament assessment that there is no risk of harm to people or other animals.

In this year's first temperament assessment, the Temperament Assessment Committee?composed of at least three experts, including veterinarians, behavior trainers, and animal welfare specialists?evaluated the dogs' aggressiveness and other traits across five categories.

If a dog is found to have high aggressiveness but is deemed capable of improvement through training and education, it may retake the temperament assessment up to two more times. However, if it is determined that the dog poses a significant risk to public safety, breeding permission will not be granted. Breeding a dangerous dog without a permit is punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won.

To improve convenience for dangerous dog owners, Gyeonggi Province has established temperament assessment sites in three locations this year: Siheung, Gwangju, and Gimpo, and plans to designate additional assessment sites as needed depending on circumstances.

Additionally, to ensure the stable establishment of the system, as was done last year, the province plans to provide a free mock test service for the first 30 dangerous dogs to apply for the breeding permit on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lee Yeonsuk, head of the Animal Welfare Division of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Through the Dangerous Dog Breeding Permit System, we expect improved safety management for companion dogs and the establishment of a proper pet ownership culture." She added, "We urge current dangerous dog owners to promptly submit their applications to their local city or county offices so that they can obtain breeding permits by October 26 of this year."