A screenshot of patrol dog "Hodu" from head of Seongdong District Office Chong Won-o's social media

A small and adorable Pomeranian named Hodu is capturing attention on social media as it serves as a village patrol dog in the Seongdong District of eastern Seoul.

Three-year-old Hodu has been patrolling the neighborhood as part of a "dog patrol" program since April 20.

This initiative encourages pet owners and their canine companions to patrol the neighborhood during their daily walks, swiftly reporting any observed dangers or incidents to local authorities.

Eum Ho-sang, the owner of Hodu, shared his motivation for joining the patrol program, mentioning previous safety-related incidents such as potholes and illegal parking. He saw it as a chance for Hodu to contribute to the community while enjoying their walks, according to the Seongdong District Office.

The dog patrol initiative, which started with 64 teams in 2022, experienced significant growth, with 1,011 teams participating last year that filed 48,431 reports.

Chong Won-o, the head of Seongdong District Office

This year, the program has expanded further, with 1,424 teams engaged in patrols following a proclamation ceremony on April 20. Among these teams, a total of 46, including Hodu's team, are dedicated to patrolling Seongdong District.

To qualify for the canine patrol team, several screening criteria must be met, including how well dogs understand commands such as "wait" and "come here," their behavior when approached by strangers, and whether they can pass by other pets calmly without excessive barking.

As Hodu's charming patrol activities have garnered widespread attention, Chong Won-o, the head of Seongdong District Office, shared photos and a short video of the Pomeranian on social media, X.

"The dog patrol initiative, led by the Seoul Metropolitan Government's self-governing police commission, plays a crucial role in safeguarding our communities, identifying necessary facility repairs and offering assistance where needed," Cho said.