"Can I Walk My Pet?" COVID-19 Spread Causes 'Petfam' Anxiety (Comprehensive)

WHO "No Cases of COVID-19 Infection or Spread in Dogs and Cats"
Experts "Pets Much Safer from COVID-19 Than Humans"

Recently, dog owners taking walks with their pets have been receiving criticism, leading to ongoing controversy surrounding the issue. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] "I don't think walking dogs is a good idea. There is also the COVID-19 issue..."

Ms. A, a woman in her 50s who recently revealed that she has not been able to walk her pet dog due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), said, "Recently, while walking my dog, some people criticized me saying, 'Dogs can catch COVID too, so why did you bring it out?'" She lamented, "There is no clear information on whether pets are easily infected with COVID-19, so it's frustrating," adding, "We can't just stay inside the house all the time."

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 24th at 9 a.m. that 161 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in South Korea compared to the count at 4 p.m. the previous day. This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country to 763, with one additional death, raising the total fatalities to seven.

Given this situation, the 15 million pet owners, known as the 'Petfam' (Pet + Family), are growing increasingly worried and anxious. If they take their pets for a walk, they are criticized as irresponsible owners, but if they just stay home, their pets' stress levels rise.

This controversy originated from the opinion of an infectious disease expert in China. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is no clear evidence that pets can be infected with COVID-19.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "Pets can be infected if they come into contact with virus patients"

According to a report by the South China Morning Post on the 3rd, Li Lanjuan (李蘭娟), an infectious disease expert affiliated with the Chinese National Health Commission, argued that pets such as dogs kept in households should also be cautious about COVID-19 infection.

The report states that Li Lanjuan warned, "Pets can be infected if they come into contact with or are exposed to virus patients, and the virus can be transmitted among mammals."

This has sparked controversy over walking pet dogs. A netizen in their 20s, Mr. A, said, "The government has declared a state of emergency, so I don't understand why people still go out (with their dogs)." He raised his voice, saying, "Even if dogs don't transmit the virus, shouldn't people be careful?"

Another netizen, Mr. B (33), said, "You never know. Experts haven't said there's no possibility at all, so isn't it possible to get infected?" He added, "I think humans should come first rather than dogs. Everyone should be careful until the situation calms down, but I get angry seeing so-called 'Gaebba' (a derogatory term for dog lovers) only thinking about dogs."

On the other hand, office worker Mr. C (27), who owns a dog, said, "Many pet owners wear masks when walking their dogs, so I think people just want to criticize." He expressed frustration, saying, "The possibility of animal transmission is very low, so aren't those who criticize wrong?" Mr. C also criticized, "It seems like they just hate pet owners. As the COVID-19 situation worsens, they are using this as an excuse to criticize."

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that there is no evidence that pets such as dogs or cats become infected with or spread COVID-19.
Photo by Yonhap News

◆ WHO: "No evidence of pets being infected or spreading COVID-19"

However, on the 29th of last month, WHO stated, "There is no evidence that pets such as dogs or cats are infected with or spread COVID-19."

WHO added, "However, after contact with pets, washing hands with soap significantly reduces the bacteria, including E. coli, that can be transmitted between pets and humans."

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) also emphasized, based on genetic sequence data analysis, that "there have been no cases of pets infected with COVID-19, and they do not transmit it to humans."

Experts advise that maintaining regular walks and reducing stress is effective for keeping pets healthy.

Dr. Kwon Kibum, director of Yeeun Animal Hospital, said in an interview with YTN, "Wearing masks to prevent the extremely low (infection possibility) might actually make the pets very uncomfortable and stressed. I know that dogs and cats in Wuhan, China, have been seen wearing masks, but I don't think it helps or recommend it."

There is also criticism that pet owners not wearing masks during dog walks is problematic. On the 1st, veterinarian Seol Chaehyun posted a video titled "Is the novel coronavirus safe for pet dogs?" on her YouTube channel 'Seol Chaehyun's DOGseol TV.'

In the video, Dr. Seol stated, "The possibility of dogs getting COVID-19 is almost negligible," and added, "Not going out for walks causes more stress for dogs." She further said, "If COVID-19 had been transmitted to dogs, WHO or China would have announced it."