Pack of Stray Dogs Creates Emergency on Hiking Trail in Dongtan New City

Recently, a pack of stray dogs has appeared in the Bansong-dong area of Dongbu Ward in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, triggering an emergency response from the fire department and other relevant authorities.

According to the Hwaseong Fire Department and the city on the 15th, stray dogs have been appearing since June on hiking trails connecting from Gubok Mountain in Byeongjeom to Dongtan New City (3~4km), threatening hikers.

Since August, the fire department has received 21 reports of stray dog sightings, and eight additional reports were received this month, prompting rescue teams to respond.

The fire department has captured two stray dogs so far and estimates that approximately five dogs are currently roaming the area.

Fortunately, hikers have not been injured thus far, but residents in the area are experiencing inconvenience due to the dogs' barking, losing sleep at night.

In response, relevant authorities including the fire department are distributing warning notices to prevent infectious diseases such as rabies and ensure the safety of hikers. They plan to launch a large-scale capture operation on around the 24th, mobilizing personnel and equipment.