“Since the weather has warmed up, I can hear the sound of wild dogs barking around the walking path next to the apartment after sunset. Sometimes, while walking, I can see them, but they roam in packs of five or six and are quite large, so it's scary. That's why I can't go outside late at night.”
Oh Mo (70), who lives in an apartment near Baeknyeonsan in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, said this while looking at the foot of the mountain on the 23rd.
According to the city of Seoul on the 1st, there have been consistent reports of wild dogs living in the mountains appearing in nearby dwellings, causing anxiety among citizens. When such complaints are filed, the autonomous district takes measures to capture the wild dogs.
However, animal lovers, so-called “wild dog moms,” are opposing the capture of wild dogs. They argue that the problem lies in most captured wild dogs being euthanized.
◇ Over 500 complaints submitted to Seoul City requesting wild dog captures annually
According to the city of Seoul, in addition to Baeknyeonsan, there have been continuous reports from residents of sightings of “packs of wild dogs wandering” at various mountains in Seoul, such as Gwanaksan and Bukhansan. The city receives around 500 complaints each year, stating “I’ve seen wild dogs” and “I’m scared because wild dogs are roaming, please capture them.”
It is estimated that about 195 wild dogs inhabit Seoul. From 2022 to last year, 662 wild dogs were captured in Seoul, but it is said that there are still wild dogs remaining. A city official noted, “Stray dogs continuously generate wild dogs, and wild dogs sometimes breed among themselves.”
◇ “Wild dog moms break traps” vs “There’s been no interference with captures”
When complaints regarding wild dogs are received, the autonomous district attempts to capture them using traps or tranquilizer guns. However, officials from the district claim that so-called “wild dog moms” are interfering with the capture of wild dogs.
Wild dog moms are people who provide water, food, and snacks in areas where wild dogs appear, similar to “cat moms” who feed cats. They are mainly women, but some men also participate. Oh, who feels anxiety due to the wild dogs, stated, “A woman in her 60s feeds wild dogs almost every day around 6 to 7 p.m. at the foot of the mountain.”
An Eunpyeong-gu official stated, “There are cases where wild dog moms damage the trap's connecting links, causing the door to not close,” and added, “When tranquilizer guns are used, they file complaints.” A Gwanak-gu official also noted, “There are occasions when wild dog moms damage the bait containers inside the traps.”
However, the wild dog moms the reporter met said they are not opposed to capture itself. A wild dog mom, identified as A, met on the 26th at Baeknyeonsan, said, “The goal is to capture the remaining wild dogs, have them spayed or neutered, and facilitate their adoption.” He mentioned that he has adopted wild dogs in the past.
Another wild dog mom, B, said, “Wild dogs are exposed unprotected to cold, heat, and heavy rain,” and added, “The goal is to adopt captured wild dogs and provide proper protection.”
◇ “Euthanizing instead of adoption is wrong” … “Not all are euthanized”
Some wild dog moms reportedly obstruct capture operations due to euthanasia that follows captures. Captured wild dogs are transferred to the Korea Animal Rescue Management Association for adoption. Wild dogs are classified as stray dogs, and if they are not adopted within 20 days, they will be euthanized.
According to the city of Seoul, among the 4,589 stray animals from last year, 40.8% were adopted or returned to their owners. 11.5% were euthanized, and 34.5% died naturally. About half met their end in shelters, and most stray animals housed in shelters are said to be dogs.
Wild dog mom A claimed, “I understand that all captured wild dogs have been euthanized.” However, an official from one autonomous district noted, “Considering factors like breed, size, and sociability, adopting wild dogs is not easy,” while asserting that “not all wild dogs are euthanized.”
◇ “If feeding stops, they come down to people’s homes” vs “In fact, complaints decrease”
Opinions differ between wild dog moms and the district regarding feeding wild dogs. Wild dog mom C stated, “Feeding helps wild dogs become familiar with people. Because of that, there has never been an instance where wild dogs directly harmed people.” She also mentioned, “If feeding stops, wild dogs will come closer to homes, which will lead to more complaints.”
Conversely, the district offers a different explanation. An official from Seodaemun-gu explained, “There was a time when a wild dog mom who had been active in Bukhansan was unable to feed the dogs due to circumstances,” adding, “When the wild dogs ran out of food, they stopped coming down to the foot of the mountain, leading to fewer complaints.”
Experts explain that euthanizing captured wild dogs is an unavoidable choice. Kim Hae-jung, a former professor of animal care at Dong-A University of Health, stated, “Wild dogs pose a threat to other wildlife,” and advised, “If wild dog moms genuinely care for wild dogs, they should assist in facilitating their adoption after capture.”