Apartment Side: "Decided by Resident Vote"
"Are You Saying No Dogs Allowed?" Criticism
"Dog Owners Must Wake Up This Time," Pointed Out
'Pets prohibited from playgrounds, kids' stations, community facilities, and walking paths'
An apartment complex in Gyeonggi-do has sparked controversy by creating management regulations that ban residents from walking their pet dogs.
According to Yonhap News on the 18th, Apartment A in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, posted a sign inside the complex on the 14th stating "No walking of pets (dogs) allowed." This measure was reportedly decided by residents through a vote to address complaints about pet dogs' excrement and dog bite incidents.
The sign states that pets are prohibited from entering, walking, being exposed, or waiting in all common areas or facilities of the apartment complex, including stairs, hallways, playgrounds, elevators, flower beds, community facilities, parking lots, walking paths, and above-ground spaces.
The apartment warned that harmful substances such as rat poison, oil cake fertilizer, snake repellents, and rabies bait would be placed in the common areas where pets are banned. All of these substances are dangerous if ingested or contacted by pets. Oil cake fertilizer contains a toxic substance called lysine, requiring special caution in distribution and use.
The apartment imposes a warning letter for the first violation of this regulation and a fine of 50,000 KRW from the second violation onward. However, for certain facilities such as children's playgrounds, book cafes, kids' stations, and community areas, a fine is imposed immediately if pets approach within 5 to 10 meters.
Accordingly, residents cannot use the children's playground, kids' station, or walking paths when moving with their pets. Pet owners must use entrances or vehicle boarding to move by the shortest route. At this time, they must use protective devices (bags, cages, etc.) that prevent pets from escaping.
"Are they saying not to raise dogs?" VS. "Dog owners need to wake up"
This management regulation was officially implemented after being approved by Seongnam City on January 4 and undergoing a preparation period. Once the news spread, it sparked a debate among residents, animal groups, and netizens.
Opponents of the measure responded with comments such as "Walking is essential for pet dogs, this is absurd," "This should be a foreign news topic," "I couldn't believe my eyes. Is this North Korea?" and "It's shocking that they are spreading oil cake fertilizer." There were also many criticisms like "They're basically saying don't raise dogs," and "What about guide dogs?"
On the other hand, some expressed opinions like "I understand because of some irresponsible dog owners," "Not everyone likes dogs; some people dislike or fear them," and "Dog owners need to wake up."
The apartment management office emphasized that this measure was decided by vote, explaining that "The purpose is to create a pleasant environment without disputes between pet owners and non-pet owners."
They added, "We gathered residents' opinions and decided by vote. Issues like pet dogs' excrement have been continuously raised but not resolved," and "Rat poison is used to catch rats at the separated garbage collection site, and fertilizer is necessary for flower bed maintenance."
They further explained, "This management regulation was created with the consent of the majority of residents last October and approved by Seongnam City earlier this year," and "The requirement to transport pets in cages also applies to iguanas, snakes, turtles, and so on." They added, "For small dogs (under 10kg), owners must use clothes, blankets, or muzzles to prevent hair from escaping, and carry them or use portable bags."
The management office also stated, "Large dogs (over 25kg) must also wear clothes to prevent hair from escaping and use muzzles and leashes while moving with an adult," and "For dangerous dogs, cages with locking devices must be used according to the Animal Protection Act enforcement regulations."
On the 12th, controversy continued regarding pets when an apartment in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, recommended vocal cordectomy surgery for households raising pet dogs.
According to KB Financial Group Management Research Institute, in 2021, the domestic pet-owning population was 15 million, and pet-owning households numbered 6.04 million, meaning one in three Koreans raises pets such as dogs or cats.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
