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| Wolfdog photo from internet, not actual animal in this case |
(I’m not familiar with what a wolfdog is, but I read online that they are a hybrid mix of a wolf and a dog).
A 67 year old woman has been arrested after her wolfdog pet escaped her home in Naie town, Hokkaido and seriously injured a 92 year old woman. According to police, Motoko Okazaki allowed her wolfdog to escape her home between midnight and 1am on July 8. Later that morning the 24 kilogram wolfdog bit a 92 year old woman who was out for a walk. The wolfdog caused injuries to both legs of the woman, which required more than a month to heal.
At the time of the incident, both the wolfdog’s indoor cage and the home’s front door were open. The pet had escaped previously, having bitten and injured a pedestrian last year.
How much trouble is this wolfdog owner in? What do you think?
A quick google, came up with these results -
Key Rules for Dogs in Public
- Mandatory Leashing: Letting a dog roam or walk off-leash in public parks, streets, or footpaths is prohibited by local and prefectural animal welfare ordinances.
- Short Control: Leashes must be kept short and secure enough that you maintain total physical control over your pet at all times to avoid startling pedestrians or interfering with bicycles and traffic.
- Exceptions: The only legal places where a dog can be off-leash are fully enclosed, designated dog parks.
- Cleanup Duties: Owners are legally required to clean up after their pets, which includes picking up solid waste and carrying water to rinse away urine on public or shared property.
Owner Liability and Compensation
- Civil Liability: Under Article 709 of the Japanese Civil Code, a dog owner is legally responsible for tort liability if their pet injures someone due to negligence or failure to properly control the animal.
- Damages Covered: Victims can claim compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress (pain and suffering). Many pet owners carry specific liability insurance to cover these costs.
- Criminal Penalties: If an owner acts with severe gross negligence (such as letting a known aggressive dog off-leash in a crowded area), they can face criminal charges for professional or accidental bodily injury under the Penal Code.
