Over 600 pet-related incidents reported since 2023: Lawmaker

More than 600 incidents involving pets have been reported in Korea since 2023, and the government should set aside a budget to address the problem, a lawmaker said Thursday, citing official data.

From the start of 2023 through August, 601 pet-related incidents have been reported, including three deaths and 14 serious injuries, Rep. Yoon Joon-byeong of the ruling Democratic Party said, quoting data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Almost all, or 599, of the cases were dog bites, while one involved a collision between a cyclist and a dog without a leash.

Yoon said that despite the large number of incidents, the ministry had not set aside a budget to prevent or respond to such accidents as the overseeing authority.

He demanded the government allocate a budget and devise effective safety rules.

Yonhap