South Korea’s first dog-friendly beach has proven to be both an unprecedented success and a lightning rod for criticism of dogs. After the local government in the eastern city of Gangneung announced that a section of local beach was open for pets to use, dog owners flocked to the location. However, the official city website was soon flooded with complaints about the dogs, as beach-goers protested about fur in the water and dog poop in the sand. Netizens noted the uneven growth of pet ownership among Koreans, as new ideas like dog beaches and dog strollers clash with the perception that dogs are dirty and meant to be eaten.
Dog owners enjoy bringing their pets to the beach at Sageun-jin, in Gangwon Province.
Article from Daum:
Gangneung’s “Pet Beach” attracts support and criticism
Tensions are rising following the creation of the country’s first “pet beach”, located in the city of Gangneung.
From July 12th to August 26th, 270 meters of the 800-meter beach located near the town of Sa-geun were designated as a “pets-only beach”. Shops selling pet care products were opened along the beach, along with pet daycare locations.
Delighted with the chance to bring their pets to play on the sand and enjoy a day in the sun, pet lovers came in large numbers starting from the opening day.
25,047 visitors came to the beach during this summer season, of which 14,020 brought 8,980 pets. During the same period last year, only 15,008 people visited the beach.
Public reaction indicated that Gangneung’s beach program was a success. The pet beach program also took advantage of the fact that Korea’s total pet population has almost reached 1 million. However, a battle has erupted on the official message board for the city of Gangneung, as netizens have flooded the site with criticism of the idea of bringing pets to the beach.
On the same site, pet lovers are fighting back with requests that the beach be designated for pets next year as well.
A commenter with the last name of Min from Gyeonggi Province wrote, “When I found the pet beach, I was really happy to see parasols available for dogs to enjoy and even a pet shower stall…I hope that they will extend the days when the beach will be available to pets.”
On the other hand, a commenter by the last name of Lee complained, “Not knowing it was a beach for mutts, I was shocked to go there and see my child playing with dog poop in the sand…I was very worried that children would be playing in water filled with dog fur and drink it in by accident.”
A commenter with the last name of Kim from Paju added, “This is such a good idea that I think they should open the beach to pets the whole year.”
Daum:
기야짱:
There’s no way to keep the pet beach water separate from the rest of the ocean! That means that everyone will be swimming around in water the dogs have used to wash…The only people who like this are dog owners!!
KKMKKM:
In this recession I’m glad there’s a place like this. It’s not like dogs are Fukushima radiation or something, polluting the entire ocean. Having families come with their dogs makes it a lot cleaner than other beaches, where people just stay up all night drinking and yelling bullshit.
frgf:
As it is, people who are no better than dogs are free to enter any swimming pool.
No-8:
‘a dog’s life’ is looking like a pretty good life right now. It looks like there’s nothing you can do about it with those dog lovers tsk tsk
밀튼원정대:
They really think that dogs should be treated just like people. They are talking about how people piss in the ocean already, but who does that? Dog owners, probably. Don’t compare dogs with weird people like that, compare them with the normal majority of people who go to the beach.
레일라:
Public bath houses are filled with other peoples’ hair and dirt, does that mean you shouldn’t go in the water? But they say a little dog hair is reason to stay away.
고냥이장수:
Wow, people will say all kinds of bullshit. They are worth less than dogs..
라썬:
‘a dog’s life’ isn’t so bad after all
비무허공:
people are talking so much bullshit..damn
깝깝하다:
dogs are good for you, don’t blame them. Think about how dog meat can help cure tuberculosis. Eat it once and your doctor will be asking you about what kind of special medicine you are taking. Everyone should be eating dog meat, it’s medicine and food at the same time.
조용한아침:
Dogs don’t pee in the ocean. Actually, people are the ones who have accidents in the water. I don’t think it would be good for dogs to go into indoor pools, but if you set aside a stretch of beach for them I think it would be okay.
자유인:
A dog’s response: ‘pets-only beach’? people are crazy… since when have beaches all belonged to humans? Since when was nature designated for human consumption only? Is there also a humans-only area of nature?
모순타파:
They say that there was a section set aside for pets to use. I didn’t get a chance to see it in person so I don’t know the specifics, but I know there are tons of beaches in Gangwon set aside for people to use, they can’t give up a single small stretch of beach? Pet owners should also try harder to not offend other people.
Raphael:
It was the pet owners who decided they wanted pets, not all of humanity, owners should keep that in mind when they bring along their animals. If their animals harm other people, the owners should take responsibility. Don’t put dogs on the same level as humans.
마제:
It’s the pet owners who are excited about bringing their dogs to walk on the beach and swim in the water…I call that animal abuse! What, do dogs talk about how much they want to go to the beach? Cut the bullshit..
깜장고무신:
The dogs will end up pooping in the water. I’m dreading the idea of wearing my swimsuit and being in water floating with dog poop.
Raphael:
You may like kissing your dog, but I don’t do it.
조연반장엄소:
I’m allergic to dog hair.. so people who are allergic should just deal with it and avoid the beach? and are they going to know to avoid that place?
환은사랑:
Do you know how many dogs are being abandoned by their owners? Or about how many are being put to sleep because no one can find their owners? and what about the dogs who are being brutally butchered for their meat? This is the reality in Korea..Korea is still a long ways from picking up on the dog ownership culture in developed countries. Despite that, they set up a beach for pets..it’s a contradiction and out of step with current attitudes. Don’t just imitate whatever they do in other countries.. Start with the problems we already have, the government issues
