A video circulating online shows a large dog rushing at a smaller dog on Haeundae Beach in Busan after slipping out of its owner’s control, drawing criticism over the owner’s failure to keep it leashed.
In the video shared on Friday, a large white dog can be seen running around a couple and their smaller dog on the beach, while its owner repeatedly tries to catch it and put it back on a leash.
According to local media reports describing the incident, a beach safety official repeatedly asked the owner to leash the dog, but the owner reportedly refused, saying, "my dog doesn't attack."
The incident ended when the owner finally managed to catch the dog and put it on a leash.
Under Korea's Animal Protection Act, dog owners must use a leash or harness no longer than 2 meters or a carrier equipped with a locking device to prevent the dog from escaping when taking their pets outdoors.
An exception applies to puppies younger than 3 months old if they are carried by their owners.
Similar incidents have continued to draw public concern in Korea, including a 2017 case in which a dog attack led to the death of a restaurant owner; criticism has mounted over owners allowing their dogs to roam without leashes.
People sharing the video online strongly criticized the owner for failing to leash a dog that appeared difficult to control. Others expressed concern that such incidents could fuel public unease toward people walking large dogs, even when their dogs are kept on leashes.
forestjs@heraldcorp.com
