"Our Dog Doesn't Bite, So What's Your Problem?" Citizen Startled by Unleashed Pet

[Financial News]  Dog owners are required to take safety measures, such as using a leash, when taking their pets outside. However, some owners let their dogs run loose in parks, leaving citizens feeling uneasy. A dog without a leash was also captured running toward a citizen.
On the 1st, Channel A's "Hyeonjang Camera" reported on some owners who let their dogs off leash at a park frequented by many citizens.
The park was known as a place where people let their dogs run without leashes. In fact, cameras captured some owners removing their dogs' leashes while enforcement officers were away.
A park security officer said, "When owners see us, they show us that their dogs have their leashes on properly, but they take them off when we're gone. It's like playing hide-and-seek."

Under current law, dog owners must take safety measures, such as using a leash, when taking their pets outside to prevent them from harming others. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to 500,000 won.
Announcements asking visitors to keep their dogs leashed and clean up after them were broadcast throughout the park, and related notices had also been posted. However, some owners still removed their dogs' leashes, making some citizens uneasy as the animals roamed around the park.
Some owners said they wanted to let their dogs run freely for a while. One owner said, "After waiting at home alone for its mom, it just wants to run freely for a little while before going back inside." When reporters asked whether the situation was dangerous, another owner emphasized, "They're all familiar dogs, so I think it's fine."

By contrast, citizens who are afraid of dogs said they were uncomfortable with owners letting their pets off leash. Recalling an incident in which a dog approached, one citizen said, "I was startled. But the owner said, \"My dog doesn't bite, so what's your problem?\"" The citizen added, "That may be fine for you, but is it fine for everyone else?"
The footage also captured an unleashed dog running toward a citizen. The owner said, "It won't bite. It won't bite," and then called to the dog, "Come here."
Another citizen described a dangerous experience involving an unleashed dog. The citizen said the dog lunged and bit near the neck, nearly causing an injury, explaining, "I nearly died when an unleashed dog came at me. But the owner said it wasn't a dog that bites."

There were also concerns that unexpected situations can occur regardless of a dog's size. One citizen said, "I think using a leash is a matter of basic courtesy," adding, "The dogs seemed threatening when they weren't wearing leashes."


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