Noise Between Floors Causes Much Greater Harm Than Electronic Devices or Direct Noise
Conflicts Escalate Leading to Crimes Like Assault and Arson
No Current Legal Regulations on Noise Between Floors... Difficult to Mediate Conflicts
Experts Say "Guidelines Needed for Smooth Coexistence with Pets"
Conflicts between neighbors due to noise from pets occurring in multi-family houses, apartments, and other communal living spaces continue to persist. The photo is unrelated to any specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] # Choi Mo (28), who lives in a multi-family house in Bupyeong, Gyeonggi-do, has recently been suffering from severe stress due to the barking of a pet in the downstairs apartment. Choi said, "There have been many times when I woke up suddenly because the dog barked late at night or early in the morning. It barks even at the sound of people walking or doors opening," adding, "I have complained several times to other residents and the dog owner, but they are stubborn, and pet noise is not recognized as inter-floor noise, so it is difficult to punish. Then who will compensate for our damage?" he vented his frustration.
Recently, conflicts between neighbors over noise caused by pets such as dogs and cats, so-called 'floor dog (犬) noise,' have been continuously occurring. As conflicts escalate, there have been cases where they have escalated into serious crimes such as assault and arson. It is pointed out that it is difficult to mediate or arbitrate conflicts because floor dog noise is not recognized as inter-floor noise under current law.
Conflicts over floor dog noise are not new. In recent years, more than 1,000 complaints related to floor dog noise have been filed annually in Seoul alone. According to a survey by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on pet noise complaints in 25 autonomous districts, there were 1,377 cases in 2015, 1,505 in 2016, and over 1,300 in 2017.
According to the current "Regulations on the Scope and Standards of Inter-floor Noise in Multi-family Housing," noise from electronic devices is recognized as unpleasant noise to people if it exceeds 45dB (decibels) during the day and 40dB at night, measured over 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, direct noise caused by actions such as running is recognized as noise if it exceeds 43dB during the day and 38dB at night, measured over 1 minute, or if it exceeds a maximum of 57dB during the day and 52dB at night.
Noise from upper floors was found to record a much higher level of dB (decibels) compared to noise caused by electronic devices or direct noise. / Photo by Yonhap News
Among these, noise caused by pets has been found to be at a serious level. According to data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Bureau in Japan, the barking noise of small dogs is about 80dB, and large dogs about 90dB. Floor dog noise thus causes a very high level of stress to people.
The problem lies in the fact that under current law, floor dog noise is not classified as inter-floor noise. Inter-floor noise is regulated under the "Noise and Vibration Control Act," which defines inter-floor noise as "loud sounds caused by human activities," excluding noise caused by pets.
Therefore, people who suffer damage from floor dog noise have no choice but to resolve conflicts through civil lawsuits such as claims for damages. However, to obtain a judgment recognizing damages, victims must directly prove the pet noise and demonstrate the mental and physical harm caused, which is challenging.
As a result, conflicts triggered by floor dog noise sometimes escalate into violent incidents.
For example, in October 2017, two neighbors in an apartment in Jeju Province fought and assaulted each other over floor dog noise.
In February of the following year (2018), a resident of a multi-family house in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, set fire because of the noise from a neighbor's cat.
Conflicts arising from floor noise have sometimes escalated into serious crimes such as violence and arson. / Photo by Yonhap News
Civilians unanimously agreed that measures should be established to mediate conflicts over floor dog noise. A 20-something office worker A, living in a multi-family house in the metropolitan area, said, "I have to get up early the next day, but if the dog barks every night, it really builds up stress," emphasizing, "I think floor dog noise should obviously be included in inter-floor noise and regulated."
Another office worker B (33) said, "I understand the feelings of owners who don't want to be separated from their pets, but apartments and multi-family houses are shared living spaces. Isn't there a minimum etiquette to follow?" He insisted, "Owners should properly manage their pets, or there should be a system where residents who suffer damage can receive compensation."
Experts suggested that the government and local governments need to provide guidelines for coexistence between pet-owning households and general households in shared residential spaces.
Lee Wonbok, head of the Animal Protection Union, said, "As the number of households raising pets increases, conflicts over floor dog noise inevitably increase. It is necessary to revise or enact related laws for smooth conflict resolution," but emphasized, "The urgent task is for the government and local governments to create and distribute guidelines and instructions to reduce pet noise in shared residential spaces."
He added, "Since pets have already become part of life, it is impossible to resolve such conflicts solely through legal battles," advising, "It is important to cultivate an advanced pet culture through guidelines and to create opportunities for pet owners and other general households to voluntarily cooperate and compromise."
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