The Seoul city government has issued a stern warning to owners of aggressive dog breeds, urging them to obtain the necessary permissions by the end of this month or face potential legal consequences. According to city officials, compliance is mandated under the revised Animal Protection Act.
Owners must secure permission from mayors or provincial governors by October 26 for raising specific dog breeds classified as fierce. Approval will only be granted if the dogs successfully pass an aggression assessment test conducted by a panel of experts.
The breeds requiring permission include the Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Rottweiler, along with any mixed breeds of these types.
Currently, 117 individuals in Seoul are raising a total of 179 aggressive dogs. Out of these, 34 owners have already applied for permits for 36 dogs. However, 45 dog owners have either failed to report their animals or have relocated to other provinces, accounting for 72 unregistered dogs.
To ensure compliance, the city government plans to send registered notices to those who do not submit their applications by the deadline. Authorities will also conduct inspections of individuals suspected of intentionally disregarding the new regulations. Legal action will be pursued against those found raising dogs without proper notification.
Under the law, individuals who keep aggressive dogs without the required permission may face penalties of up to one year in prison or fines reaching 10 million won (approximately $7,360).
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