Over 180,000 Pet Dog Registrations in Just Over 70 Days... 3.6 Times Last Year's Figure Soars

Government Conducts Intensive Crackdown on Unregistered Activities in National Parks and Other Areas
Fines Up to 600,000 KRW for Violations

[Photo by Pixabay]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] The number of new registrations received during this year's voluntary dog registration reporting period was reported to be 3.6 times higher than the same period last year.

On the 19th, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that a total of 179,193 dogs were newly registered during the voluntary dog registration reporting period from July 19 to September 30 this year. This is about 3.6 times the number during the same period last year (49,298 dogs).

53.5% of the total new registrations were made in the metropolitan area, and the increase rate of new registrations compared to last year was highest in Jeonnam (580%), Jeonbuk (549%), and Gyeongbuk (531%), in that order.

The total number of change reports received during this voluntary reporting period was 268,533, which is 13 times higher than the same period last year. The reasons for change reports were mainly address/phone number changes (205,333 cases), dog deaths (39,390 cases), and ownership changes (10,214 cases), in that order.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is intensively cracking down on unregistered dogs at 843 locations nationwide, such as parks frequently used by companion animals, throughout October. About 2,300 personnel will be deployed for the crackdown. The fine for unregistered dogs is up to 600,000 KRW.

A joint crackdown team consisting of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, local governments, and private participants such as honorary animal protection monitors will focus on places frequently used by companion animals, such as parks and dog playgrounds.

Kim Jihyun, Director of the Animal Welfare Policy Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, emphasized, "We will strictly enforce the law so that all pet owners comply with animal registration and safety management, which are mandatory under the Animal Protection Act."