'Targeting Only Specific Dog Breeds'... Dog Owners Angry at Lee Kyung-gyu's Remarks

YouTube 'Jonjung Naengjanggo' First Episode Engulfed in Controversy

Broadcaster Lee Kyung-kyu's YouTube show has been embroiled in controversy over breed discrimination and unauthorized filming of citizens.

The YouTube channel 'Leukeuke Lee Kyung-kyu' recently posted a video titled 'Finding People Who Show Respect During Dog Walks' on the 10th.

This video was planned to praise dog owners who follow 'petiquette' (pet + etiquette), and it borrowed the title 'Respect Refrigerator' inspired by the variety show 'Conscience Refrigerator' that Lee Kyung-kyu previously hosted. However, the video became a subject of controversy among some netizens from the first episode.

Broadcaster Lee Kyung-kyu appeared on the YouTube channel 'Leukeuke Lee Kyung-kyu'
[Photo by YouTube capture]

Lee Kyung-kyu, who appeared in the video, explained the purpose of the production by saying, "Many people go out and walk with their pets, and with increased civic awareness, most follow the rules well. We will take one step further to find citizens who can be the object of respect from others." He then personally observed a walking trail used by dog owners and their pets.

What Lee Kyung-kyu paid close attention to was whether large dogs were wearing muzzles. Regarding this, Choi Ji-hyo, team leader at the Western Park Leisure Center, explained, "There are designated dangerous dog breeds under the Animal Protection Act, but the general public is not well aware of them. When dogs look big or fierce, people often mistake them for dangerous breeds and file complaints asking why they are not wearing muzzles."

Lee Kyung-kyu said, "Honestly, it's okay if not all dogs wear muzzles. However, there are dogs that must wear muzzles. For example, Jindo dogs don't need to wear muzzles, but others might see them as somewhat threatening, so owners sometimes put muzzles on them. Those owners are the ones deserving respect."

The video captured several Jindo dogs and their owners, most of whom were not wearing muzzles. Lee Kyung-kyu expressed regret, saying, "(They) are not wearing muzzles (on the Jindo dogs)," but added, "(The dogs) seem well-behaved and get along well with people, so there's no need to force it."

However, after the video was released, some netizens criticized Lee Kyung-kyu. They expressed disbelief at the reason for singling out Jindo dogs, which are not required to wear muzzles under the Animal Protection Act.

In particular, one netizen claiming to be the owner of a Jindo dog featured in the video commented, "I was surprised because I was not informed about the filming during the walk," and criticized, "The content and purpose are too biased, and not only did my dog appear in the video without permission, but the video itself makes me feel uncomfortable."

Another netizen reacted strongly, saying, "You said the bigger Samoyed dogs were pretty and cute, but when Jindo dogs appeared, you commented that they looked 'temperamental' and 'should look a certain way.' It's ridiculous and makes me laugh."

Under the current Animal Protection Act, the breeds required to wear muzzles are five types: Dosa dogs, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Rottweilers. If these breeds are taken outside without muzzles, fines are imposed. However, for companion dogs not included in the current law, muzzle-wearing cannot be enforced.