In Joonang (English) a reporter goes to great lengths to explain her confusion as a dog owner encountering the new Korean legislation for pet identification system which has been brought into place in 2013.
I have very little sympathy for those who complain about the expense or the cumbersome nature of the procedures offered – 2만원 ? – I was a bit intrigued by the argument against the microchip due to potential health effects. I have a dog and he came microchipped as a puppy from the breeder. If one is to travel around Europe with a pet, as we do very often, having a microchip is mandatory (as well as a corresponding passport containing all the relevant vaccination information).
After having looked at the linked website, and watching the video which is mainly about the dangers of microchipping a human, I am still not convinced that there is really a danger which outweighs the benefit of having a microchip system in place. The electronic tags and the registration should be additional supplementary options as they are too easily removed. In Europe, registration tattoo was available prior to microchipping.
I don’t think the Korean government is being ham-fisted about this procedure, if anything they should really look into implementing the fines properly. The people who are reluctant to sign up will definitely be the ones less reluctant to throw the pets away, despite what they say.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
After reading that I wondered why S. Korea doesn’t just start legal dog fighting and gambling – for so-called ONLY foreigners – with a fake ID if need be and dummy/someone to save a seat for you just outside the ring or like on a blackjack/poker table all of which would cost you a pretty penny and headache before your first bet.
complaining about a 20k W procedure ? You guys are spoiled by your bureaucracy
There’s a Korean saying, 음식 가지고 장난하지 마라, don’t play with things you eat.
As much as I abhor the practice of eating dogs, these jokes just keep coming into my head. It’s like I have been afflicted with an American talk show script disease.
I think this is a great idea…. …for sex offenders. Why don’t they do this for sex offenders instead of that stupid collar.
Are all the European microchips made in China? That was the concern I heard when it comes to chipping your dog in Korea? I initially dismissed the health concerns of Koreans. Surely they’re just being wary of the “dirty Chinese”. But then when it came time to chip my beloved, ridiculously expensive dog, I suddenly found myself hesitant.
Twenty bucks is absurdly cheap, but I think that most Koreans feel that the government is nickle and diming them on everything, so no surprise they’re not happy about it. Besides, when I was a kid I broke my dog out of the pound to avoid paying the $60 fine + $60 registration fee, so I can’t criticize.
Speaking of Chinese microchips, some counterfeit ones made in China were found to be installed on Canadian Forces’ Hercules transport planes. I tell ya, Prime Minister Harper is doing everything he can to do business with China, including wanting to put in a pipeline to sell oil sands crude to China.
They need the business: the fossil boom south of the border kinda fucked up their business model. They better move all that bonanza where it’s needed before they start using their own:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323401904578156710038647662.html
Her dog bites her when it eats and the risk of infection is better than the “ugly” registration tag. Crikey. Idiots like this one, who decide one a whim that they want a “furry daughter”, are the reason so many dogs get abandoned.
The mass process of angelication of what is essentially an apex redator is one of the surest signs of the demise of this demented civilisation
I normally look to Jashin for this kind of thoughtful insight at MH
I feel the need to go ask the opinion of the guy in Myeongdong who walks around with a sign that reads Verichip 666
I got nothing against gays
For a long time my dog refused to lift a leg when he peed instead squatted. I was convinced he was gay.
You’re weird.
And we like her that way.
Take care of your dog, there’s no need for this nonsense.
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