People wishing to raise dogs with fierce traits in South Korea will be required to get permission from mayors or provincial governors, beginning in April, as part of efforts to reduce fatal attacks involving such dogs, officials said Wednesday.

Owners of fierce dogs will also be required to hold a liability insurance program and have their dogs neutered or spayed, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

People who have already raised such dogs must receive permission within six months of the planned implementation.

The ministry categorizes the Tosa, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier and rottweiler, as well as other related mixed breeds, as being fierce dogs.

The move came amid growing concerns about accidents involving such dogs, with the number reaching 2,216 in 2022, according to the National Fire Agency. (Yonhap)