More Than 600 Pet-Related Accidents Reported in South Korea Since 2023
Official data cited by a ruling party lawmaker showed 601 pet-related accidents and 603 casualties in South Korea from 2023 through August 2026, renewing calls for a dedicated prevention budget and stronger safety rules.
South Korea recorded more than 600 accidents involving pets between the start of 2023 and August 2026, according to government data disclosed by a ruling party lawmaker on Thursday. The figures have prompted a call for dedicated public funding and clearer safety measures to prevent further injuries.
Rep. Yoon Joon-byeong of the Democratic Party said 601 pet-related accidents were reported during the period. Those incidents resulted in 603 casualties, including three deaths and 14 serious injuries, based on data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Dog bites accounted for nearly every reported case. Of the 601 accidents, 599 involved dog bites. One other case involved a collision between a cyclist and a dog that was not on a leash. The report did not provide details about the remaining case or break down the figures by region, breed or year.
The casualty total exceeding the number of incidents indicates that at least some accidents involved more than one person. The data also underscore that the issue extends beyond minor injuries, with fatalities and serious injuries included in the official count.
Yoon criticized the agriculture ministry for not allocating a budget specifically to prevent or respond to pet-related accidents despite its role as the responsible government authority. He urged the government to establish funding and devise effective safety rules.
The disclosure adds a public-safety dimension to South Korea’s management of companion animals. The overwhelming concentration of cases in dog bites points to prevention measures involving control of animals in public places, owner responsibility and responses after an incident. The cyclist collision also illustrates risks created when dogs are not restrained.
The figures alone do not establish why the accidents occurred or which policy measures would be most effective. They do, however, provide a measurable basis for lawmakers and the ministry to assess whether current rules, enforcement and public guidance are sufficient. Any new budget or regulatory proposal would still need to specify how resources would be used and how outcomes would be evaluated.
Yoon’s request now places the focus on whether the government will create a dedicated program, strengthen existing measures or propose new safety requirements. The ministry’s response and any subsequent budget action were not included in the disclosed data.