"My Dog Doesn't Bite"... Controversy Over Unleashed Large Dog at Haeundae Beach

Claims Emerge That Leash Requests Were Ignored
Owner Restrained Large Dog Only After the Incident
Over 2,000 Dog Bite Cases Reported Annually
Need for Control Measures Outdoors Regardless of Breed or Size

A video has been circulating showing a large dog without a leash running toward a small dog being held by a citizen at Haeundae Beach in Busan, sparking debate over pet safety management.

On September 4, a report by SBS and various social media platforms spread a video titled “My Dog Doesn’t Bite,” among others, filmed on the sandy beach of Haeundae Beach.

A video showing a large dog without a leash running toward a small dog held in the arms of a citizen at Haeundae Beach in Busan has been circulating, sparking controversy over pet safety management. Photo by SBS

In the video, a white large dog without a leash is seen wandering the beach before spotting the small dog being held by a citizen and then charging toward it at high speed. The owner of the small dog tried to fend off the large dog using an umbrella, but the large dog repeatedly lunged at the small dog. In the process, a shocking moment was captured as the small dog being held was dropped to the ground.

The situation ended only after the owner of the large dog, who arrived late, caught and restrained the dog. What further fueled the controversy was the online posts that emerged. It was revealed that a beach patrol officer at the scene had repeatedly asked the large dog’s owner to put a leash on the animal before the incident, but the owner did not comply. According to some reports, the owner responded at the time by saying something along the lines of, “My dog doesn’t bite.”

Online reactions included criticism such as, “If you can’t control your own dog, why don’t you leash it?” “More stringent management is needed at crowded beaches,” and “Catching the dog after an incident is already too late.”

Large Dogs: Even Minor Incidents Can Escalate into Major Accidents

Putting a leash on a pet dog is not merely a matter of etiquette. If a pet dog suddenly charges at another animal or person, injuries may result not only from bites but also from falling or colliding while trying to avoid the attack.

If aggression occurs between dogs of vastly different sizes and strength, there is a high risk that the smaller dog will be seriously injured. Therefore, in places like beaches or parks where many people gather, it is essential that owners maintain immediate control over their pets. Especially in shared spaces like beaches used by children, tourists, and other pets, experts point out that it is more important to wear a leash and keep a proper distance to prevent accidents than to rely on the belief that “my dog doesn’t bite.”

The situation ended only after the owner of the large dog, who arrived late, caught and restrained the dog. SBS

In reality, dog bite accidents continue to occur without cease. According to recent data compiled based on statistics from the National Fire Agency, the number of patients transported to the hospital due to dog bites was 2,368 in 2018, 2,254 in 2019, 2,114 in 2020, 2,197 in 2021, 2,216 in 2022, and 2,235 in 2023—consistently exceeding 2,000 per year.

Accidents that harm not only people but also other pets continue to happen.

In August last year in Gwangju, a shepherd whose leash had come undone ran into a store and bit a chihuahua’s neck, seriously injuring its neck and tail. In 2020, in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, a Rottweiler attacked and killed a small Spitz during a walk, and also injured the owner who tried to intervene. The Rottweiler’s owner was tried for violating the Animal Protection Act and was fined 6 million won in appellate court. In a separate civil lawsuit, the owner was also ordered to compensate the victims about 8 million won.

Up to 500,000 Won for Not Using a Leash… “Mandatory Muzzles” Don’t Apply to All Large Dogs

Under current animal protection law, when taking registered dogs outdoors, owners must take safety measures to prevent harm to people or other animals.

The enforcement regulations require that when outdoors, dogs must wear a leash or harness no longer than 2 meters, or be transported in a carrier. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, violation of leash or safety obligations results in fines of 200,000 won for the first offense, 300,000 won for the second, and 500,000 won for three or more offenses. However, simply being a “large dog” does not by itself make the use of a muzzle mandatory for all dogs.

Under the law, “dangerous dogs” refers to specific breeds such as Dosa, Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler defined by ministerial decree, or dogs that have been designated after temperament evaluations by a provincial governor. Since the exact breed of the dog in the video is unknown, it cannot be concluded that a violation of the muzzle mandate occurred. However, the law provides that, even if a dog is not of a designated dangerous breed, if it causes harm to a person or another animal, local government officials can require a temperament evaluation. If judged to be highly aggressive, the dog can be classified as dangerous.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.