If an Unregistered Pet Dog Is Found, 'Up to 600,000 Won' Fine... Nationwide Inspection from October

60,000 KRW Fine for More Than 3 Violations

Report Changes After Registration, Attach Identification Tags, etc.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government will launch a focused crackdown period on unregistered companion dogs starting next month. This is to prevent animal loss and abandonment.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 26th that after operating a voluntary animal registration reporting period from July 19 to the end of this month, it plans to start the focused crackdown period from the 1st of next month. During the crackdown period, compliance with regulations by companion dog owners will be checked mainly at places where companion dogs are frequently used, such as parks. Joint inspection teams composed of local government officials and honorary animal protection monitors will conduct the inspections.

Fines will be imposed based on the number of violations for failure to comply with regulations such as companion dog registration, reporting changes after registration, attaching identification tags when going out, wearing leashes and harnesses when going out, and collecting excrement. In particular, for companion dog registration, fines of 200,000 KRW for the first violation, 400,000 KRW for the second, and 600,000 KRW for the third and subsequent violations will be imposed.

For general dogs, owners must comply with animal registration and change reporting, attaching identification tags and wearing leashes and harnesses when going out, and collecting excrement. For dangerous dogs, going out without the owner is prohibited, and when going out, wearing a leash and muzzle, subscribing to insurance, and completing regular education are required.

Meanwhile, starting from the 1st of next month, the government plans to enforce crackdowns on unregistered companion dogs and restrict the use of public facilities. When entering public companion animal facilities such as dog playgrounds and cultural centers, the registration status of companion dogs will be checked, and unregistered companion dogs will be restricted from using the facilities.

Kim Jihyun, Director of Animal Welfare Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "To create a society where animals and people coexist, companion animal owners must fulfill their obligations," and added, "We plan to continuously strengthen animal registration promotion and crackdowns to foster a responsible companion animal culture."