In an effort to enhance neighborhood safety and prevent crimes across the capital, Seoul city government announced on Friday that a total of 1,424 human-pet dog patrol teams are set to commence their duties next week.
The civil patrol program, initiated by the city government in 2022, enlists designated pet dog owners and their furry companions to be vigilant during their neighborhood walks and report any suspected crimes or safety concerns to authorities.
This year, 1,424 human-dog teams have been appointed for the program, marking a significant increase from the initial 64 teams when the initiative began. A ceremony inaugurating their activities is slated for Saturday at the World Cup Park’s Peace Square in western Seoul, according to city officials.
In 2021, 1,011 teams participated in the program, collectively filing 331 police reports and 2,263 safety or inconvenience risk reports during their 48,431 patrol walks.
The city government has announced a shift in its recruitment strategy from one-off recruitment to ongoing recruitment, with plans to expand the program to accommodate up to 2,000 teams.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon emphasized the significance of the program, stating, “With the domestic population of pet owners reaching 15 million, the pet dog patrol unit is a new policy that can help prevent crimes and safety risks.”
