Numerous studies have shown that the bond between a human and an animal, especially a dog, decreases psychological stress and brings emotional comfort.
The state-run Gyeonggi Province Service Dog Center reported that the prolonged pandemic has resulted in an increased number of pet adoptions during the first months of the year. It said that an average of 57 dogs were adopted a month in the first half of this year, a whopping increase from 28 last year. Since social distancing measures have been enacted, the center has been receiving continuous queries regarding fostering or adopting pets, especially from families with children who are spending most of their time at home after school lockdowns.
While more people show greater interest in raising a companion animal, many lack understanding and knowledge on how to become a proper caretaker and maintain a good relationship with their pet.
A recent episode of “Dogs are Incredible,” a TV program devoted to helping people bond with their troubled pets featuring Korea's best-known dog trainer Kang Hyung-wook, stirred great controversy over a family who mishandled their dogs.
The story dealt with a full-grown Border Collie named Kobi who seemed reckless and inattentive, causing trouble for the family and resisting training. To make the situation worse, the family adopted a three-month old Border Collie named Dambi, who was constantly harassed and bitten by Kobi. The little puppy was so traumatized that he constantly hid in the bathroom, distancing himself even further from the family.
The human family members disclosed on the show that they had decided to adopt a pet dog to improve their troubled relationship, and this helped them restart communicating and reconcile.
Observing the seriously hostile environment the two dogs were raised in, Kang advised the family to give up the puppy to focus on Kobi's behavior first since it was impossible for the family to raise two border collies together.
After the show aired, it was later revealed that the family refused to give up Dambi for adoption and never answered Kang's genuine plea for Dambi to be raised in a safer environment. Viewers expressed their anger toward the family who they called “selfish” and “unfit” to raise dogs.
Kang attributed the major reason behind this chaos to the owners' lack of understanding of Border Collies. Kobi and Dambi, both Border Collies, are herding dogs. Athletic and energetic, they are among the most agile, balanced and durable dog breeds. Kang mentioned multiple times on the show that dogs of herding breeds, including Border Collies, require greater effort and attention from the owners to provide them an energy outlet because most pet owners here live in a typical apartment building with no outdoor spaces.
Another episode on “Dogs are Incredible” that drew ire from viewers featured a dog owner raising a Cane Corso, a Labrador Retriever and a Jindo dog together under one roof. Neglecting to meet the extremely high level of exercise and physical activities these rather large dogs require, the pet owner did not fulfill his responsibility to meet their basic needs. Consequently, all three pets turned into ferrous canines attacking each other.
Again, the pet owner selected his lifetime companions out of impulse, failing to select companion animals more suitable to his home and lifestyle.
The government reported a 3.7 percent year-on-year increase in the number of abandoned pets last month, mainly due to the worsening financial situation amid the pandemic.
Songpa-gu Office announced last week that the district has launched a temporary animal shelter free of charge for people who have tested positive for the coronavirus. So far, four dogs belonging to COVID-19 patients have been admitted to the shelter and transferred to an animal hospital. Cases have been reported of pets being infected with the virus through contact with human COVID-19 patients.
Pet care is a huge responsibility that can require decades of commitment. In Korea, only 12 percent of pet owners are reported to keep their lifelong commitment to their companion animals. Pet ownership is a privilege that comes with responsibilities. It should never be used as a temporary means for socialization or consolation during hard times but should result in a mutually beneficial relationship.