Pet Playgrounds

[Anchor Lead]

As the number of pets in Korea grows, playgrounds exclusive to dogs are beginning to open up in several places. But some playgrounds are being prevented from operating due to strong protests from nearby residents.

[Pkg]

Dogs run joyfully on the green grass. Several dogs playfully chase after their owners...And they climb up and down the wooden stairs to spend a warm autumn afternoon.

[Soundbite] "That's it. Very good. Now come down. Great job!"

Tables and shades are set up to allow pet owners to relax while watching their dogs play.

[Soundbite] Jeong Mi-ae (Seoul Resident) : "People can relax on the benches and dogs can run around. The dogs must have places they want to go."

This playground for pet dogs was opened recently in a district in Seoul. However, an official opening ceremony was not held, as some residents were opposed to it.

[Soundbite] Kang Yeong-suk (Official, Dogong-gu Dist. Office) : "People who don't like dogs protest strongly. We plan to operate the playground by persuading them to coexist."

As a matter of fact, another district in Seoul opened a pet dog playground four months ago, but had to close it down shortly after. Resident complaints were the cause of the removal.

[Soundbite] (Nearby Resident (Voice modified)) : "Children go to a pool nearby. Dog hairs fly over because it's only 10 meters away. We don't want to make an issue out of the dog playground if it's not built here."

There are about 10 playgrounds in Korea exclusively for pet dogs. More playgrounds for dogs are expected to open up in the future as the number of pets is spiking in Korea. But pet owners should also make efforts to make opposing residents understand the need for pet-only playgrounds.