A small-sized Pomeranian named “Hodu” has become an online sensation for its activities as part of the Seoul Pet Patrol Squad in Seongdong-gu.
The Pet Patrol Squad involves local residents patrolling their neighborhoods with their pets to identify and report potential hazards. The program was piloted in nine districts of Seoul in 2022.
This year, a total of 1,424 teams have embarked on patrol activities, with an official launch event held on April 20.
Seongdong-gu Mayor Chong Won-o highlighted Hodu’s efforts on his social media, saying, “I’m not the type to keep such delightful things to myself,” and shared photos and videos of Hodu’s activities.
Mayor Chong also expressed anticipation for this year’s patrols, mentioning that some teams had already participated in joint patrols last weekend. “When you encounter the Pet Patrol Squad members on the street, please greet them warmly,” he said.
“In particular, the patrol dogs Choy and Jenny, who became a hot topic last year for identifying a drunk driver swerving and damaging fixtures in a school zone, are also members of our squad.”
To qualify for the patrol squad, dogs must pass various tests, including obeying commands like “stay” and “come here,” and remaining calm and not barking at other dogs they encounter during patrols.
