[Did You Know] Is It Okay to Bury a Deceased Pet Dog in a Mountain Forest? (Part 1)

Information on Companion Dogs Seen Through the Movie 'Dog Days'
India Records About 20,000 Annual Deaths from Rabies
Pavlov's Dogs Have Never Heard a Bell
KORAIL Companion Dog Seats Priced at Adult Fare

In the movie 'Dog Days,' Wanda is a pet dog. She is left alone when her owner Minseo (Youn Yuh-jung) loses consciousness and is taken away in an ambulance. Fortunately, Wanda meets a new owner in a similar situation?a daughter named Jiyu (Yoon Chae-na), who has just been adopted by the couple Seonyong (Jung Sung-hwa) and Jeongah (Kim Yoon-jin) from an orphanage. They give Wanda a new name, 'Sarang' (which means 'Love'), and help her adapt to the new environment. Wanda sticks close to Jiyu but does not forget Minseo. One day, she suddenly dashes out the front door, instinctively sensing that Minseo is outside. Her barking soon turns into a happy howling sound. Sliding her four paws on the floor, as soon as the door opens, she jumps into Minseo's arms and licks her face vigorously. "Oh, Wanda. Okay, okay."

Movie 'Dog Days' Still Cut

The love dogs have for their guardians has lasted for 15,000 years. They have shared a long history and have been closely intertwined with humans. The time we have begun to understand this relationship is relatively short. In the late 1990s, many researchers argued that dogs, having lived close to humans for thousands of years, developed their own ways to understand human intentions, enabling rich and subtle communication between the two species. This theory still enjoys considerable support among those who use dogs' behavior and intelligence for work or are enthusiastic about them. However, many experiments have repeatedly shown that such abilities often vanish like mirages.

That said, we cannot deny their special abilities. Unlike other animals, dogs remain passionate about forming affectionate relationships with members of other species. If a human exhibited such abilities, they would often be seen as strange or even pathological. Some researchers interpret this abnormal behavior as 'hypersociality.' People who deeply care about animals and their welfare think simply: it is 'Sarang'?the new name given to Wanda, meaning 'Love.'

By loving us, dogs ask for only one thing in return: reciprocity. Many humans, even without knowing the science behind this long-standing mutual admiration, willingly respond to dogs' needs. They pet them more, keep them less lonely, and provide opportunities to live within tightly connected social networks. The characters in 'Dog Days' are no different. Each believes they deserve to receive love in return for the openly given love. They regard being loved by a dog as a great privilege and prove their worthiness one by one.

Movie 'Dog Days' Still Cut

'Did you know?' Here is some information delivered in a somewhat scattered manner. It’s a tip for enjoying the movie more interestingly.

*It is generally estimated that there are just under one billion dogs worldwide. Of these, about 300 million live as pets in human households. In regions like North America, Northwestern Europe, and Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, and the Southwest Pacific Islands), there are almost no dogs living outside human homes. However, excluding these areas, vast regions including Central and South America, Africa, Eastern and Southern Europe, and Asia remain. In these places, many dogs live outdoors beyond the four walls of human dwellings.

*India has an enormous number of stray dogs. They rummage through garbage heaps, making a mess, and defecate along paths where people walk. Most are unhealthy and can be carriers of serious diseases, including rabies. In fact, about 20,000 people still die annually from rabies in India, with most victims contracting this dreadful disease from dogs.

*Tragically, in India, it is not uncommon for people to kill stray dogs, sometimes deliberately poisoning or beating them to death. Many dogs also die unintentionally in traffic accidents. Yet, many people still care for them devotedly by providing food and shelter. From the dogs’ perspective, humans are highly unpredictable beings.

*The scientist Charles Darwin loved being with dogs and was rarely apart from one of them. According to Emma Townshend’s book 'Darwin’s Dogs,' the only time he did not live with his loyal dog was during the five years he spent circumnavigating the globe aboard the ship named 'Beagle' after reaching adulthood.

Movie 'Dog Days' Still Cut

*Darwin viewed dogs as emotional beings inclined to harbor strong feelings toward their human companions.

*Ivan Petrovich Pavlov is widely known as the scientist who demonstrated that dogs salivate when expecting food. In response, Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw remarked, "Even a passing policeman could tell you that much about dogs."

*Students learn that Pavlov rang a bell before feeding his dogs. In reality, he never used a bell. The word 'Bell' is a mistranslation of the Russian word for buzzer.

*The first description of dogs’ affection dates back to the time when writing was invented. About 2,000 years ago, Arianos of Nicomedia in ancient Greece wrote intensely emotional and passionate words that defy comparison. Arianos, a philosopher, historian, and soldier, gained fame for chronicling the achievements of Alexander the Great. As he aged and reflected on life, his heart was not with Roman Emperor Hadrian or other human friends but with his dog Horme. "The gentlest and most affectionate dog in the world, who longs to be with me more than any dog I have ever raised. (Excerpt) That dog would accompany me to the gymnasium, sit quietly while I exercised, and on the way back, walk ahead, frequently looking back to check I was still there. When assured, he would smile and walk ahead again. (Excerpt) Even if we parted for a very short time and met again, he would jump lightly up and down as if welcoming me and bark affectionately as if greeting me. (Excerpt) Therefore, I must not hesitate to write down his name here so that this dog may survive into the distant future. In other words, Xenophon of Athens had a dog named Horme, who was very fast, very clever, and truly excellent."

*The oldest record of emotional bonds between humans and dogs is an inscription on an ancient Egyptian tomb from 4,000 years ago. Although this simple record of just sixty-four words does not mention how the dog treated people, the fact that these words have survived carved in stone for thousands of years offers a glimpse into the affection shared between our two species since ancient times. "A dog guarding the king. His name was Abutiyuda. The king ordered that he be buried, a coffin made from the royal treasury, richly lined with fine linen (a thin fabric woven from flax thread), and incense burned. The king bestowed ointments and commanded a group of stonemasons to build a tomb for him. The king did this to honor him."

Movie 'Dog Days' Still Cut

*Modern people think of wolves as large and fearsome animals and dogs as much smaller and gentler. When dogs first appeared in human history long ago, this difference was not so pronounced. A frequently repeated story about their origin is that ancestors adopted the friendliest wolf pups to help with hunting, raising them as dogs. This theory was strongly advocated by 18th-century French naturalist Georges Cuvier. He proposed that over generations, the tamest pups from a litter were selected as parents for the next generation, gradually creating the animals we now know as dogs. This explanation is supported by the fact that many hunters today regard dogs as valuable assistants.

*Ray Coppinger was the first to challenge the idea that dogs originated as hunting companions. He disdainfully called this theory the 'Pinocchio Hypothesis,' not because Pinocchio’s nose grows when he lies, but because of the early story of the poor craftsman Geppetto creating the puppet Pinocchio to alleviate his loneliness. Together with his wife Lorna Coppinger, he wrote a highly persuasive book titled 'Dogs: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior, and Evolution.' It outlined why it is impossible to create dogs by selecting friendly wolves to help with hunting. The reasons can be summarized in three points: First, wolves have no motivation to assist human hunting. Second, wolves are too dangerous to humans, especially children. At some point, wolves were no longer tolerated. Third, ancient humans would have needed far greater insight and knowledge of genetics than we think to selectively breed friendly wolves. Coppinger argued that dogs likely evolved to fulfill a much more ordinary and even pitiable role?as scavengers sniffing around early human settlements. When people began settling, enormous amounts of waste were inevitably produced. Coppinger theorized that certain wolves scavenged this waste. Indeed, various species gather at dumps worldwide. In Kolkata, India, cows roam city dumps; in Alaska, one must beware of polar bears rummaging through garbage. Thousands of years ago, wolves may have adopted a similar strategy, roaming near our ancestors’ settlements and sniffing out edible waste.

*Singer Barbra Streisand attempted to clone her beloved pet dog Sammy (a Coton de Tulear breed). Cloned animals share all genes with their originals, making them genetically indistinguishable like identical twins. The first dog was cloned in South Korea in 2005. Eggs were implanted into 123 female dogs, each giving birth to one puppy. Using so many female dogs raises ethical concerns. About ten years later, the process was simplified, and a Texas-based organization now clones beloved pets by taking a small cell sample from inside the dog’s cheek and using a single surrogate mother dog. The cost is $50,000. Streisand said all four cloned puppies looked identical but told The New York Times, "Each puppy was unique and had its own personality. You can clone a dog’s appearance, but you cannot clone its soul."

Movie 'Dog Days' Still Cut

*Even if a pet’s face or identifiable body parts are filmed or commercially used, it is difficult to claim infringement of portrait rights. Portrait rights are constitutional rights protecting 'people' (personal rights). The Supreme Court also specifies that these rights apply to 'people.' Legally, animals are treated as property and cannot have constitutional rights like humans. However, since pets are the owner’s property, if someone not only films them without permission but also profits from it, the owner’s exclusive use and profit rights are infringed. The owner can file claims to prohibit ownership infringement, seek damages, or demand unjust enrichment returns against the filmer. Winning such cases is uncertain because proving damages is difficult, and even if recognized, calculating them is not easy. Ultimately, even if someone films a pet without the owner’s consent, while the act may be discourteous, current law does not provide pets with legal rights comparable to humans.

*Although pets are like children, under Korean law, they are legally considered property. Therefore, in divorce cases, they are subject to 'property division,' not custody. In extreme cases where both parties claim ownership, the court may have no choice but to auction the pet and divide the proceeds.

*Disputes over pet custody occur in Korea as well. In 2018, after 11 years of marriage, wife A agreed to keep the pet cat upon divorce. However, three years later in 2021, she sued husband B to change the custodian and claim maintenance fees. Even if child custody is decided at divorce, it can be changed if necessary for the child's welfare. A argued that the cat’s custodian should be changed to her husband and filed a lawsuit, essentially asking him to take the cat. She also requested about 5.5 million won for maintenance expenses incurred while raising the cat alone after divorce. A based her claim on the premise that the cat was a 'child' and cited civil law provisions on custody. The court dismissed the claim, stating, "There is no legal basis to file a lawsuit seeking a change of pet custody," and rejected the request.

Movie 'Dog Days' Still Cut

*In Korea, many animals are abandoned or neglected after their owners pass away without anyone to care for them. In cities like Seoul and Daegu, there is an 'Emergency Animal Protection Acceptance System,' where police or firefighters on site send pets to animal shelters. However, if no new guardian appears, the animals are eventually euthanized.

*Many pets die in veterinary hospitals. In such cases, the pet’s body is classified as 'medical waste' and is either handled by the hospital itself or entrusted to waste disposal companies. However, if the owner wishes, they can receive the pet’s body and have it cremated through a legally registered pet funeral service. If a pet dies at home, the body is classified as 'household waste.' Therefore, according to local government ordinances, it can be disposed of in general volume-based waste bags, which are then handled by household waste disposal services. Of course, even in this case, cremation through a pet funeral service is possible.

*Many people bury deceased pets in their yards or nearby hills. Just a generation ago, most dogs guarding homes were buried in sunny spots on nearby hills. Many still think this way. According to a 2018 public awareness survey on animal protection by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, when asked about 'plans for handling a deceased pet,' 35.5% answered 'burial in residence or hills,' the second highest after 'using funeral facilities (55.7%).' However, burying deceased pets in hills is illegal. Pet bodies are waste and subject to the Waste Management Act; burying them without permission, approval, or notification is illegal dumping of waste. Violators face fines up to 1 million won.

*Living in an apartment does not mean you cannot keep pets. The Enforcement Decree of the Apartment Housing Management Act states, "If one intends to raise livestock (excluding assistance dogs for the disabled) or use broadcasting facilities in a way that harms communal living, consent must be obtained from the management entity." This means that keeping pets in apartments is not fundamentally prohibited. In practice, consent is rarely obtained simply for keeping pets because consent is required only when intending to harm communal living. Simply keeping a pet generally does not require consent. Therefore, there are no restrictions or conditions on keeping pets even in apartments. However, conflicts with neighbors often arise. There are no special solutions, but general civil procedures such as injunctions or damage claims can be used. If separate procedures considering pets’ special nature are established, more practical dispute resolution would be possible.

Movie 'Dog Days' Still Cut

*Dog barking is not considered noise and cannot be judged by noise standards. If someone suffers mental distress from dog barking, can they claim damages? Recently, a lower court ruling awarded compensation for emotional distress due to this legal gap. Mr. Park in Gwangju suffered sleep disorders from barking dogs downstairs and reported them to the police. However, no action was taken because 'dog noise' is not a reportable offense. The noise mediation agency also refused to measure noise, stating dog barking is not inter-floor noise. Eventually, Mr. Park filed a lawsuit for damages. The court ruled, "Even if dog barking is not legally defined as noise, if it occurs daily, the listener experiences significant stress. This constitutes an unlawful act against others," and awarded 1 million won in damages. Even if dog barking is not legally classified as noise or measurable by apartment noise standards, if it is repeated and causes distress, compensation for that distress can be recognized.

*Korail’s boarding guidelines state, "If you need a seat for your pet, you can pay the regular fare and reserve a seat." Here, the regular fare means the adult fare. On Korail’s website under 'Additional Fare Collection Standards and Train Etiquette,' 'Additional Fare Collection Standards' include "cases of misuse such as using discounted tickets by ineligible persons." One example is "using an infant ticket for a pet." Violators must pay ten times the standard adult fare.

*The Enforcement Rules of the Passenger Transport Service Act stipulate, "Small cargo that passenger bus operators can transport must be less than 40,000 cm³ in volume or weigh less than 20 kg." Seoul Metro’s passenger transport terms state, "Passengers cannot carry items other than those specified in Article 34, Paragraph 1, including items with combined length, width, and height exceeding 158 cm or weighing over 32 kg." People who own medium or large dogs find it practically difficult to use public transportation with their pets. Most large dog owners avoid public transport to prevent inconveniencing others or out of public decency. Moreover, regulations may restrict boarding. Without a personal vehicle, owners of medium and large dogs cannot travel far with their pets.

Movie 'Dog Days' Still Cut

*In Germany, pet dogs must pay a separate fare when using public transportation. The dog fare is the same as for children. Dogs can ride without cages, only leashed. That is, when using buses or subways with a dog, the owner must purchase tickets for both themselves and the dog. If caught riding without a ticket, the owner must pay a fine several times the fare.

Reference materials: Clive D. L. Wynne, translated by Jeon Haeng-seon, published by Hyunamsa, 'How Dogs Love Us' (2020); Lee Jang-won, published by Gongjon, 'Pet Advocacy' (2024); Pierre Schultz, translated by Heo Bong-geum, published by Choroknamu, 'Comfort from Dogs' (2011); Seol Chae-hyun, published by Dong-A Ilbo, 'Did That Dog Really Wag Its Tail Because It Was Happy?' (2019); Miura Genta, translated by Jeon Gyeong-ah, illustrated by Suzuki Miho, published by Writing House, 'What That Dog Wanted to Say' (2018); Gregory Burns, translated by Kim Shin-ah, published by Jinseong Books, 'Do Dogs Really Love Humans?' (2016), etc.