Essential Pet Etiquette: 5 Must-Know Tips for Responsible Pet Owners in Gyeonggi Province

Gyeonggi Province leads the nation in pet registrations among local governments. By the end of 2024, it had 1,116,243 registered companion animals — roughly 30% of the national total. Experts say the high ownership rate reflects the province’s dense population and its concentration of single-person and family households.

The surge in pet adoptions has reshaped community life, and conflicts between neighbors over animals are increasingly common. Fostering a mature pet culture now depends on “petiquette,” a set of courtesies that both owners and non-owners must observe.

When walking or taking pets out, the basic rule is to keep them leashed. Under the Animal Protection Act, leash length in public must not exceed 2 meters (about 6 ft 6 in). This simple safety measure helps owners control animals in sudden situations and prevents others from feeling threatened. Prompt removal of pet waste is a public-health and neighborly obligation: always carry bags on walks and clean up thoroughly so nothing is left behind.

Breeds listed as dangerous under the Animal Protection Act — such as the Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier, and Rottweiler — are required to be both leashed and muzzled in public.

Even dogs not on the statutory list can be designated dangerous by metropolitan or provincial officials if they pose a threat to people or other animals. Owners of those dogs must ensure muzzle training and strict management to prevent sudden aggressive behavior. Proper precautions protect both neighbors and the animals themselves.

Petiquette is not the owner’s burden alone. Passersby should avoid approaching or touching an animal without the owner’s permission and refrain from loud noises or sudden movements — what seems friendly to a person can feel threatening to a pet. Only through voluntary cooperation between owners and non-owners can Korea truly become a pet-friendly society, and Gyeonggi Province aims to lead that cultural shift.