By Yoon Ja-young



Owners of dogs that fatally attack people will face up to three years of jail. Dangerous dog breeds such as pit bull terriers and Tosas will be banned from entering kindergartens or elementary schools. These are part of government measures to strengthen protection against aggressive dogs, which will be implemented in March.



The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced safety controls for pet dogs Thursday. It increased the liabilities of dog owners amid a growing social conflict following a fatal dog attack late last year. A French bulldog, owned by K-pop idol Choi Si-won of Super Junior, bit a neighbor who died of an infection in hospital a week later. According to Korea Consumer Agency, there were 1,019 dog bites reported in 2016, double from 560 in 2012.



"Twenty-eight percent of Korean households have pet dogs and safety has become a problem," Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said at a government meeting to coordinate safety measures on pet dogs.



The ministry will widen the scope of dangerous dog breeds, which currently includes Tosas, pit bull terriers, rottweilers and their mixed breeds. Mastiffs, laikas, ovtcharkas, kangals and wolfdogs have joined the government's list. Dogs of these breeds will have to wear muzzles in addition to being leashed when they go out. These breeds will be restricted from being imported or living in apartments. They will also be banned from entering facilities for children, such as nurseries, kindergartens and elementary schools.



Dogs that are not included among these breeds but have attacked people or are taller than 40 centimeters will also be put under special control. They will have to wear muzzles in narrow indoor spaces such as elevators or alleys. However, if a specialist determines the dog is not aggressive and the owner can safely control it, it will be excluded from the regulation.



Regardless of breed, any pet dog in public has to wear a leash that is no longer than 2 meters.



The government has also strengthened the penalty on dog owners who are negligent in fulfilling these safety obligations, levying up to a 3 million won penalty. If a dog bites someone to death, the owner will face up to a three-year jail term or a 30 million won penalty.



The local animal control authority will segregate any dog that hurts people, without seeking consent from the owner. Such dogs will be put under training or euthanized, following evaluation by specialists.



Those who own ferocious dogs will also be obligated to get education on dog safety.



"We expect the measure to enhance dog owners' awareness of their responsibilities and spread pet etiquette, contributing to making a society where people and animals live in harmony," said Park Byung-hong, a senior official in charge of animal policy at the ministry.



To enhance awareness, the government plans to give cash rewards to those who report dog owners negligent of their obligations, such as not registering their pet dogs and not using leashes.