1,424 Pet Dog Owner Security Patrol Teams Start Duty in Seoul Next Week

JAKARTA - A total of 1,424 human patrol teams and pet dogs will begin their duties in Seoul, South Korea next week, joining efforts to prevent crime and safety risks in neighborhoods around the capital, the city government said on Friday.

"With the domestic pet owner population reaching 15 million, the pet dog patrol unit is a new policy that can help prevent crime and safety risks," said Mayor Oh Se-hoon, reported by The Korea Times, April 19.

A civil patrol program launched by the city government in 2022 encourages pet dog owners and their pets to keep an eye out for and report suspected crimes or other safety risks to authorities as they walk around the neighborhood.

The program starts with 64 teams when it begins in 2022.

Last year, 1,011 teams operated, which together filed 331 police reports and 2,263 reports of safety risks or inconveniences during 48,431 patrol runs.

Starting this year, the city will shift from previously one-time recruitment of patrol teams to ongoing recruitment and seek to recruit up to 2,000 teams.

For this year's program, a total of 1,424 patrol teams have been appointed, with a launch ceremony for their activities scheduled for Saturday at World Cup Park's Peace Square in western Seoul, city officials said.