With the massive ongoing mess involving the dog belonging to Siwon and his family generating national discussion about dog owners and their responsibilities for their pets, the Korean government changed laws and decided to enforce harsher punishments for unleashed dogs.

The immense attention ultimately led to a law reform, and the Korean government is now enforcing stronger punishment for unleashed dogs. From now on, a dog owner will be fined 200,000 KRW (177 USD) on the first offense of walking a dog in public without a leash. The fine will increase to 300,000 (265 USD) on the second offense and then 500,000 (442 USD) on the third. This is a drastic increase, near quadruple, from previous fines which was 50,000 KRW (44 USD) on the first offense, 70,000 KRW (62 USD) on the second offense, and 100,000 (88 USD) on the third offense.

Additionally, they’re looking to pass new laws regarding dog-related deaths.

In addition, four new laws demanding longer sentence and higher fines for dog-related deaths has been submitted for review.

All of that seems reasonable, perhaps the fines are a bit on the high side, but fuck owners who don’t leash their dogs anyway. The part that’s wild to me is that in less than six months, there’s effectively gonna be an implementation of a Leash Snitch Patrol.

Starting in March 2018, reward money for ‘Dog Paparazzi’ will also be officially implemented. ‘Dog Paparazzi’, or a passerby who reports dogs in public without a leash, will be rewarded 20% of the fines. The dog breeds listed as ‘dangerous’, or considered to be a type in need of extra control, will also expand and include more breeds than the current list of six.

I dunno, something about this is hilarious to me. The visual of cameras sticking out of bushes around parks so “paparazzi” can cash in is too much.

Anyway … at least all the drama is leading to something being done.