Popularity of Pet Obstacle Avoidance Content like 'Hyujibyeok Challenge'
Concerns Raised Over Joint Diseases Such as Patellar Luxation
[Asia Economy Reporter Seunggon Han, Intern Reporter Seulgi Kim] Recently, YouTube videos showing pets like dogs jumping over walls made of toilet paper have gained popularity. In these videos, dogs jump over toilet paper walls made in 2-tier, 3-tier, or 5-tier formations, or use their heads to break through the walls. Another dog makes sounds and asks its owner for help when suddenly faced with an obstacle. Netizens’ reactions to these videos are divided.
One netizen expressed outrage, saying, "This is clear animal abuse. It causes stress." On the other hand, another netizen opposed, saying, "It’s cute. Since it doesn’t seem like they get injured, it just looks like play." Experts pointed out that depending on the situation, this could be punishable as animal abuse.
As of the 28th, over 100 videos titled 'Toilet Paper Wall Challenge' or 'Transparent Wall Challenge' can be found on YouTube. Most of these videos show walls built using toilet paper rolls or transparent barriers made with wrap or vinyl, then observe whether pets can pass through them.
The problem is that these acts can threaten the safety of pets. There are also concerns that pets experience stress. Pets may slip and get injured while passing obstacles, or vinyl could tear and block their respiratory tract. It is also a major concern that joint diseases such as patellar luxation could be triggered during the process of passing obstacles.
Given these circumstances, criticism is growing. A member A of the pet community 'Meeting of Dog Lovers' said, "I dislike YouTubers who create content by making dogs stressed and startled. The Transparent Wall Challenge is like that." Other community members agreed with B’s criticism, expressing outrage with comments like "I want to report this as animal abuse," and "It’s absurd to make voiceless animals do such challenges."
Office worker B (26) also said, "I think content that shows pets being startled or deliberately troubled to observe their reactions is animal abuse. It only looks like trying to commercialize one’s pet to make money." He raised his voice, saying, "Instead of spending time observing reactions after troubling pets, I think taking one more walk is a better way to strengthen the bond with pets."
A YouTuber with 120,000 subscribers for pet content on YouTube said on the 23rd that they would not participate in the challenge because it could be dangerous for pets.
He said, "I am not criticizing those who participate in this challenge, but this is my personal stance," and added, "I hope those who create obstacle avoidance content will think once more about the safety of their pets."
On the other hand, some say it is just one of the content themes. College student C (24), who enjoys watching these videos, said, "I don’t understand why the Transparent Wall Challenge and pets avoiding traps are called animal abuse when they are cute and lovely," and argued, "I think this controversy includes an intention to tarnish the reputation of popular YouTubers. Who would raise pets to abuse them?"
Experts pointed out the possibility of punishment for animal abuse. Attorney Hyunjung Kwon of the animal rights research lawyer group PNR emphasized, "The current animal law defines animal abuse as acts that cause unnecessary or avoidable physical pain and stress to animals without justifiable reasons."
She continued, "Since this content is not a natural behavior for animals, I find it hard to agree with some YouTubers’ claims that these acts do not cause stress to pets," and pointed out, "If health problems arise in pets due to this content or if veterinarians or experts explicitly state that these acts caused problems for pets, punishment for animal abuse is possible."
Attorney Kwon added, "However, there have been no actual cases of punishment for animal abuse due to such content, and even if punishment occurs, it is expected to be minor."
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