Cyber fraud is becoming increasingly common and some hackers are even exploiting people's desire to bring home a pet here are the details.

Attention, puppy buyers! Don't fall for pet scams online

Iran's hardline government plans to ban domesticated animals which are considered dangerous and harmful to the country's population. WION gets you the complete story.

Iranian animal lovers are disappointed with new bill banning pets

The incident of a dog left to die in a crate for transporting cabbages has sparked a lot of controversy in Indonesia. It has also triggered a discussion on 'halal' tourism, which is practiced in several parts of the Southeast Asian nation.

The incident of a dog left to die in a crate for transporting cabbages has sparked a lot of controversy in Indonesia. It has also triggered a discussion on 'halal' tourism, which is practiced in several parts of the Southeast Asian nation. Ten provinces in Indonesia, including East Nusa Tenggara, Aceh, the Riau Islands, West Sumatra, West Java, Jakarta, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java and South Sulawesi, come under the category of halal (“permitted”) tourism destinations. This means that these places are sharia compliant and abstain from haram products and services, such as alcohol and gambling. A social media post went viral last month. It showed that a black canine named Canon was seized from the Kimo Resort off Sumatra island by local government officials. The resort is located on an island that is part of Aceh. This province adheres to sharia or Islamic law. The video which went viral shows officials trying to capture Canon using a long wooden pole. This led to allegations of animal cruelty and the hashtag #JusticeForCanon started trending on Indonesian social media. There was also a petition on Change.org. It demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. The seizure of the dog was allegedly a part of an exercise to make sure that tourist facilities are sharia compliant. In this particular case, it meant removing animals considered haram or forbidden. This incident has sparked a discussion around what exactly does 'halal tourism' stand for. Also read | 'Staring into an abyss': UN says 3 million in Afghanistan, 45 million worldwide knocking at famine's door A police chief has confirmed that the force was investigating an animal abuse complaint from a rights group. After the dog was captured, he was placed in a discarded cabbage crate and covered with a tarp. He suffocated before he could be with his owner. According to a report by SCMP, Ramadhan Syahmedi Siregar, a lecturer in Islamic Law at the State Islamic University of North Sumatra, claimed that the districts issue their own local regulations, thus contributing to the confusion. Also read | Iran: Gay couple sentenced to death for adultery after family demanded execution Any of these local laws, which are known as peraturan daerah or perda, related to halal tourism only apply to the specific areas in which they were drafted rather than at a national level. Various people said that the issue should not be complicated. Sebastian Hutabarat, who is a local activist and tourism entrepreneur said that halal tourism has existed for decades. However, it is without the label. He revealed that while the area around Lake Toba is mostly populated by members of the Batak ethnic subgroup, there had been Muslim and halal restaurants at Lake Toba ever since he was a child.

Indonesia: Pet dog's death triggers discussion around 'halal tourism', here is what people have to say

In pics | Funny finalists from comedy pet show awards 2021

The British government unveiled plans Friday to make&nbsp;pet&nbsp;abduction&nbsp;a new criminal offence, in response to a pandemic-fuelled spike in dognapping and other animal thefts.

The offence is among the recommendations of a task force launched in May to tackle the reported rise in&nbsp;dog&nbsp;and other&nbsp;pet&nbsp;thefts, which have soared during the coronavirus crisis.&nbsp;

The price of some&nbsp;dog&nbsp;breeds has increased by as much as 89 percent since several lockdown periods in Britain, as interest in owning a&nbsp;pet&nbsp;surged, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

This is blamed for making&nbsp;dog&nbsp;theft more appealing to criminals, with evidence suggesting police received around 2,000 reports of canines being stolen last year.

The task force, comprising government officials as well as police, prosecutors and other law enforcement agencies, considered evidence from academics, animal welfare organisations and various experts.

In its report released Friday, it also recommended keeping reliable data on&nbsp;pet&nbsp;thefts to "build a stronger evidence base about the problem" and improving ownership records.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/women-protest-in-afghanistans-herat-over-right-to-education-work-410216">Also read |&nbsp;Women protest in Afghanistan's Herat over right to education, work</a>

New requirements to register additional&nbsp;pet&nbsp;details and a single point of access to around 16 microchipping databases would support tracking lost and stolen dogs, the taskforce said.

Meanwhile it urged raising awareness about police initiatives and prevention measures targeted at the issue.

"Pet&nbsp;owners shouldn't have to live in fear, and I am pleased this report acknowledges the unique distress caused by this crime," Environment Secretary George Eustice said in a statement.

"Its recommendations will reassure&nbsp;pet&nbsp;owners, help the police to tackle&nbsp;pet&nbsp;theft, and deliver justice for victims," he added, vowing ministers would start implementing them.

The new&nbsp;pet&nbsp;abduction&nbsp;offence will be created through new legislation, with reports it could be included in a policing and crime bill currently going through parliament.

Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the RSPCA charity, welcomed the proposals to acknowledge the "seriousness" of&nbsp;pet&nbsp;thefts and "utter turmoil" they can cause.

"We hope this will encourage courts to hand out much tougher sentences to&nbsp;pet&nbsp;thieves," he said.

The British government unveiled plans Friday to make pet abduction a new criminal offence, in response to a pandemic-fuelled spike in dognapping and other animal thefts.

The British government unveiled plans Friday to make pet abduction a new criminal offence, in response to a pandemic-fuelled spike in dognapping and other animal thefts. The offence is among the recommendations of a task force launched in May to tackle the reported rise in dog and other pet thefts, which have soared during the coronavirus crisis. The price of some dog breeds has increased by as much as 89 percent since several lockdown periods in Britain, as interest in owning a pet surged, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). This is blamed for making dog theft more appealing to criminals, with evidence suggesting police received around 2,000 reports of canines being stolen last year. The task force, comprising government officials as well as police, prosecutors and other law enforcement agencies, considered evidence from academics, animal welfare organisations and various experts. In its report released Friday, it also recommended keeping reliable data on pet thefts to "build a stronger evidence base about the problem" and improving ownership records. Also read | Women protest in Afghanistan's Herat over right to education, work New requirements to register additional pet details and a single point of access to around 16 microchipping databases would support tracking lost and stolen dogs, the taskforce said. Meanwhile it urged raising awareness about police initiatives and prevention measures targeted at the issue. "Pet owners shouldn't have to live in fear, and I am pleased this report acknowledges the unique distress caused by this crime," Environment Secretary George Eustice said in a statement. "Its recommendations will reassure pet owners, help the police to tackle pet theft, and deliver justice for victims," he added, vowing ministers would start implementing them. The new pet abduction offence will be created through new legislation, with reports it could be included in a policing and crime bill currently going through parliament. Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the RSPCA charity, welcomed the proposals to acknowledge the "seriousness" of pet thefts and "utter turmoil" they can cause. "We hope this will encourage courts to hand out much tougher sentences to pet thieves," he said.

UK to create new pet abduction offence after rise in dog thefts

An 11-month-old 80-pound cougar was removed from an apartment in New York where the big cat was being kept as a pet illegally.

The owner surrendered the female cougar to animal welfare officials, Kelly Donithan, director of animal disaster response for the Humane Society of the United States, said in a news release on Monday.

According to the Associated Press, the cougar, nicknamed Sasha, spent the weekend at the Bronx Zoo receiving veterinary care and is headed to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas.

The Humane Society coordinated with zoo officials, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York Police Department on the big cat’s removal.

“I’ve never seen a cougar in the wild, but I’ve seen them on leashes, smashed into cages, and crying for their mothers when breeders rip them away. I’ve also seen the heartbreak of owners, like in this case, after being sold not just a wild animal, but a false dream that they could make a good ‘pet’,” Donithan said.

He said the cougar was “relatively lucky” because her owners, who live in the Bronx, recognised that their flat was not a hospitable environment for a wildcat, and surrendered her.

“The owner’s tears and nervous chirps from the cougar as we drove her away painfully drives home the many victims of this horrendous trade and myth that wild animals belong anywhere but the wild,” he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-report-identifies-migratory-species-as-most-vulnerable-to-plastic-pollution-409772">UN report identifies migratory species as most vulnerable to plastic pollution</a>

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos asserted that while cougars “may look cute and cuddly when young, these animals can grow up to be unpredictable and dangerous”.

Bronx Zoo director Jim Breheny said the exotic pet trade makes no contribution to the conservation of endangered species.

“These animals often end up in very bad situations, kept by private individuals who don’t have the resources, facilities, knowledge, or expertise to provide for the animals’ most basic needs,” Breheny was quoted as saying.

(With inputs from agencies)

An 11-month-old 80-pound cougar was removed from an apartment in New York where the big cat was being kept as a pet illegally. The owner surrendered the female cougar to animal welfare officials, Kelly Donithan, director of animal disaster response for the Humane Society of the United States, said in a news release on Monday.

An 11-month-old 80-pound cougar was removed from an apartment in New York where the big cat was being kept as a pet illegally. The owner surrendered the female cougar to animal welfare officials, Kelly Donithan, director of animal disaster response for the Humane Society of the United States, said in a news release on Monday. According to the Associated Press, the cougar, nicknamed Sasha, spent the weekend at the Bronx Zoo receiving veterinary care and is headed to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas. The Humane Society coordinated with zoo officials, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York Police Department on the big cat’s removal. “I’ve never seen a cougar in the wild, but I’ve seen them on leashes, smashed into cages, and crying for their mothers when breeders rip them away. I’ve also seen the heartbreak of owners, like in this case, after being sold not just a wild animal, but a false dream that they could make a good ‘pet’,” Donithan said. He said the cougar was “relatively lucky” because her owners, who live in the Bronx, recognised that their flat was not a hospitable environment for a wildcat, and surrendered her. “The owner’s tears and nervous chirps from the cougar as we drove her away painfully drives home the many victims of this horrendous trade and myth that wild animals belong anywhere but the wild,” he said. Also read | UN report identifies migratory species as most vulnerable to plastic pollution Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos asserted that while cougars “may look cute and cuddly when young, these animals can grow up to be unpredictable and dangerous”. Bronx Zoo director Jim Breheny said the exotic pet trade makes no contribution to the conservation of endangered species. “These animals often end up in very bad situations, kept by private individuals who don’t have the resources, facilities, knowledge, or expertise to provide for the animals’ most basic needs,” Breheny was quoted as saying. (With inputs from agencies)

11-month-old female cougar kept as pet removed from New York apartment

A recent research has revealed that the deadly coronavirus is common in pet cats and dogs if their owners have the disease.&nbsp;

As a part of the research, swabs were taken from 310 pets in 196 households where a human infection had been detected. &nbsp;It was concluded that 6 cats and 7 dogs returned a positive PCR result. Also, 54 animals tested positive for virus antibodies.

As per the authors of the study, there is no evidence of pet-to-owner transmission yet. However, it would be difficult to detect when the virus is still spreading.&nbsp;

Dr Els Broens, from Utrecht University, was quoted by BBC as saying that, "If you have Covid, you should avoid contact with your cat or dog, just as you would do with other people". He added, "The main concern is not the animals' health but the potential risk that pets could act as a reservoir of the virus and reintroduce it into the human population".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-jinping-hails-irreversible-rise-of-china-on-communist-party-centenary-395051">Also Read |&nbsp;President Jinping hails 'irreversible' rise of China on Communist Party centenary</a>

The university sent a mobile veterinary clinic to households in the Netherlands that had tested positive for Covid-19. Then there were swabs taken from their pet cats and dogs to test for evidence of a current infection. The blood samples were also tested for antibodies. This suggested a past exposure to Covid.

When presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease, it was concluded that 4.2 per cent showed evidence of current infection and 17.4 per cent tested positive for antibodies.&nbsp;

BBC quoted Veterinary Microbiological Diagnostic Centre Dr Broens saying that "We can't say there is a 0% risk of owners catching Covid from their pets". He added, "At the moment, the pandemic is still being driven by human-to-human infections, so we just wouldn't detect it".&nbsp;

Meanwhile, another study by the University of Guelph in Ontario revealed that cats that slept on their owner's bed were more likely to get the infection.&nbsp;

To examine, a total of 48 cats and 54 dogs from 77 households were tested for Covid antibodies.

As a result, about 67 per cent of the owned cats and 43 per cent of the owned dogs tested positive, compared with 9 per cent of dogs and cats from an animal shelter and 3 per cent of stray cats in the area.

A recent research has revealed that the deadly coronavirus is common in pet cats and dogs if their owners have the disease. As a part of the research, swabs were taken from 310 pets in 196 households where a human infection had been detected.

A recent research has revealed that the deadly coronavirus is common in pet cats and dogs if their owners have the disease. As a part of the research, swabs were taken from 310 pets in 196 households where a human infection had been detected. It was concluded that 6 cats and 7 dogs returned a positive PCR result. Also, 54 animals tested positive for virus antibodies. As per the authors of the study, there is no evidence of pet-to-owner transmission yet. However, it would be difficult to detect when the virus is still spreading. Dr Els Broens, from Utrecht University, was quoted by BBC as saying that, "If you have Covid, you should avoid contact with your cat or dog, just as you would do with other people". He added, "The main concern is not the animals' health but the potential risk that pets could act as a reservoir of the virus and reintroduce it into the human population". Also Read | President Jinping hails 'irreversible' rise of China on Communist Party centenary The university sent a mobile veterinary clinic to households in the Netherlands that had tested positive for Covid-19. Then there were swabs taken from their pet cats and dogs to test for evidence of a current infection. The blood samples were also tested for antibodies. This suggested a past exposure to Covid. When presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease, it was concluded that 4.2 per cent showed evidence of current infection and 17.4 per cent tested positive for antibodies. BBC quoted Veterinary Microbiological Diagnostic Centre Dr Broens saying that "We can't say there is a 0% risk of owners catching Covid from their pets". He added, "At the moment, the pandemic is still being driven by human-to-human infections, so we just wouldn't detect it". Meanwhile, another study by the University of Guelph in Ontario revealed that cats that slept on their owner's bed were more likely to get the infection. To examine, a total of 48 cats and 54 dogs from 77 households were tested for Covid antibodies. As a result, about 67 per cent of the owned cats and 43 per cent of the owned dogs tested positive, compared with 9 per cent of dogs and cats from an animal shelter and 3 per cent of stray cats in the area.

Covid common in pet dogs and cats, reveals study

Pets can easily bond with humans, but when a wild octopus befriends a diver and becomes his life coach until its death, that true story scores an Oscar nomination for best documentary.

Human-octopus love story up for best documentary Oscar

One year on, as the corona pandemic continues to send ripples through German society, the lack of social contact and home office is taking a toll on people's mental health and well-being. And what better way to lift the blues than getting a furry companion to while away the days with.

Surge in demand for dogs in home office pushes illegal puppy trade

Danish and German officials said on Friday that they carried out a series of arrests in two nations that foiled a possible Islamist attack.&nbsp;

Components and chemicals required to make explosives and firearms were confiscated in raids, Danish intelligence agency PET's operations chief Flemming Dryer was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-warns-neighbours-of-border-closures-on-virus-fears-362963">Germany warns neighbours of border closures on virus fears</a>

"We found the ingredients needed to make a bomb," he said.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-19-germany-chancellor-merkel-says-lockdown-will-not-be-extended-further-363185/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Dryer added, however, that these parts were not assembled, but hinted of an attack.&nbsp;

"We believe there was no immediate threat, nothing was assembled or mixed. But we're not naive, and we're not excluding anything," the PET official said.&nbsp;

A hunting rifle, an Islamic State flag, and ignition devices were among the items seized by the investigators.&nbsp;

The plot appeared to aim towards Denmark or Germany, officials briefing reporters at PET's headquarters near Copenhagen said.&nbsp;

Three Syrian brothers, two in Denmark and in one in Germany's Hesse were among those arrested, according to the German officials.&nbsp;

"Our security services once again prevented an Islamist terror attack," Germany's Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said.&nbsp;

He added that the three people arrested were "probably preparing an attack in Europe."

PET on Thursday said 13 people have been arrested at the weekend in a suburb outside Copenhagen, and one suspect was arrested in Germany. &nbsp;

Danish and German officials said on Friday that they carried out a series of arrests in two nations that foiled a possible Islamist attack. Components and chemicals required to make explosives and firearms were confiscated in raids, Danish intelligence agency PET's operations chief Flemming Dryer was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.

Danish and German officials said on Friday that they carried out a series of arrests in two nations that foiled a possible Islamist attack. Components and chemicals required to make explosives and firearms were confiscated in raids, Danish intelligence agency PET's operations chief Flemming Dryer was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. Also read | Germany warns neighbours of border closures on virus fears "We found the ingredients needed to make a bomb," he said. Watch | Dryer added, however, that these parts were not assembled, but hinted of an attack. "We believe there was no immediate threat, nothing was assembled or mixed. But we're not naive, and we're not excluding anything," the PET official said. A hunting rifle, an Islamic State flag, and ignition devices were among the items seized by the investigators. The plot appeared to aim towards Denmark or Germany, officials briefing reporters at PET's headquarters near Copenhagen said. Three Syrian brothers, two in Denmark and in one in Germany's Hesse were among those arrested, according to the German officials. "Our security services once again prevented an Islamist terror attack," Germany's Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said. He added that the three people arrested were "probably preparing an attack in Europe." PET on Thursday said 13 people have been arrested at the weekend in a suburb outside Copenhagen, and one suspect was arrested in Germany.

Germany, Danish authorities say possible Islamist attack thwarted after series of arrests

British pet owners will need a new document to enter the European Union with their animals after the Brexit transition period ends on 1 January next year, the government said on Wednesday. Owners will have to get an animal health certificate from a vet no earlier than 10 days before travel, the government said on its Brexit guidance page.

British pets required only a passport while their country was part of the EU. Only vets officially allowed to inspect animals for export can issue the certificates.&nbsp;

The same rule will apply for taking animals from England, Scotland and Wales to Northern Ireland. But the UK government said its approach to enforcing the rule in Northern Ireland would recognise "these changes will take time to adjust to", without specifying whether there would be a grace period.&nbsp;

Owners will still have to ensure pets are microchipped and have up-to-date rabies vaccinations, as currently. The health certificates will be valid for pets' onward travel for four months. There will be no new rules on pets travelling from the EU into Britain, which will continue to recognise EU pet passports.&nbsp;

The new rules are less complex than if the EU had classified Britain as an "unlisted" country -- the least favourable status. &nbsp;This would have involved animals getting a blood test to check for rabies at least three months ahead of travel.&nbsp;

Britain has instead been given the same status for pet travel as Australia, Russia and the United States. The UK government is pushing to get Part 1 listed status, which would allow pets to travel almost as they do now. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

British pet owners will need a new document to enter the European Union with their animals after the Brexit transition period ends on 1 January next year, the government said on Wednesday.

British pet owners will need a new document to enter the European Union with their animals after the Brexit transition period ends on 1 January next year, the government said on Wednesday. Owners will have to get an animal health certificate from a vet no earlier than 10 days before travel, the government said on its Brexit guidance page. British pets required only a passport while their country was part of the EU. Only vets officially allowed to inspect animals for export can issue the certificates. The same rule will apply for taking animals from England, Scotland and Wales to Northern Ireland. But the UK government said its approach to enforcing the rule in Northern Ireland would recognise "these changes will take time to adjust to", without specifying whether there would be a grace period. Owners will still have to ensure pets are microchipped and have up-to-date rabies vaccinations, as currently. The health certificates will be valid for pets' onward travel for four months. There will be no new rules on pets travelling from the EU into Britain, which will continue to recognise EU pet passports. The new rules are less complex than if the EU had classified Britain as an "unlisted" country -- the least favourable status. This would have involved animals getting a blood test to check for rabies at least three months ahead of travel. Britain has instead been given the same status for pet travel as Australia, Russia and the United States. The UK government is pushing to get Part 1 listed status, which would allow pets to travel almost as they do now.

British pet animals will need a certificate to enter European Union after Brexit

Cano is a three-year-old mongrel who hopped into Quispe's taxi seven-months-ago and has not looked back. Cano sticks by his owner unconditionally and accompanies him on all his endeavours.

Dog proves to be a taxi driver's best friend and copilot in Bolivia

Most people just want to get rid of them, but ants have become the primary business for an entrepreneur who is selling them as pets in Singapore. The city state's first shop specializing in pet ants, "Just Ants" opened in late February just as lockdown measures to curb the spread of coronavirus set in, bringing business to a halt.

Pest or pet? Ant farms fascinate Singaporeans

Man's best friend, through thick and thin. That is the story of Argentine traveller Michael Graef and his two dogs Nilo and Chamo, after refusing a humanitarian flight home amid the pandemic because he would have to leave his two best friends behind.

Loyal to the end: Argentine refuses COVID flight home to stay with dogs

Boris Johnson's pet dog "Dilyn"steals the show in London. Politicians and voters carried dogs to polling station.

Britain and tradition of bringing dogs to polling station

Blend Mamoon turns heads when he roams the streets of the city of Dohuk with his pet, a year-old lion who came into Mamoon's care when he was just a 20-day-old cub.

Leo the pet lion: a local celebrity in Iraq's Dohuk

A luxury dog hotel in India&#39;s northern Gurugram city is slowly becoming a popular hotspot for pooch lovers, who want to pamper their furry friends.

The three-month old hotel provides a wide array of services, including saloon and spa, veterinary care, television lounge, deluxe suites, swimming pool and caf&eacute; all rolled into one.

The first-of its-kind hotel for pets is the brainchild of Deepak Chawla and his wife, Jaanwi.

Chawla, on Thursday, said providing upkeep services for animals were not a luxury, but a basic need for them.

Currently running with 1,000 members, Critterati also plans to fit in felines soon in their 12,000 square feet area.

Clients&#39; responses have been overwhelming as the facilities, according to veterinarian Dr. Vinod Sharma, is as relaxing for the pets as it is convenient for the owners.

The first-of its-kind hotel for pets is the brainchild of Deepak Chawla and his wife, Jaanwi.

A luxury dog hotel in India's northern Gurugram city is slowly becoming a popular hotspot for pooch lovers, who want to pamper their furry friends. The three-month old hotel provides a wide array of services, including saloon and spa, veterinary care, television lounge, deluxe suites, swimming pool and café all rolled into one. The first-of its-kind hotel for pets is the brainchild of Deepak Chawla and his wife, Jaanwi. Chawla, on Thursday, said providing upkeep services for animals were not a luxury, but a basic need for them. Currently running with 1,000 members, Critterati also plans to fit in felines soon in their 12,000 square feet area. Clients' responses have been overwhelming as the facilities, according to veterinarian Dr. Vinod Sharma, is as relaxing for the pets as it is convenient for the owners.

India's first luxury dog hotel redefines country's pet culture

South Korea aims to regulate the increasingly common ownership of pets in a bid to promote an unsupervised sector that the government sees as economic growth opportunity, and to crack down on animal abuse and neglect. 
 
Measures announced on Thursday will enable South Koreans to legally operate services for pets such as animal cafes, hotels and funeral parlours, while imposing stiffer punishment on breeders found using unsanitary or inhumane methods. 
 
Pets were once rare in South Korea, a country where the consumption of dog meat was widespread though it has declined sharply during the rapid modernization of recent decades. 
 
&quot;We know we are a bit late, but we are aiming to become a developed country in terms of the pet industry,&quot; Kang Chong-suk, director of the finance ministry&#39;s general policy coordination division, said in a telephone interview. 
 
&quot;There were absolutely no regulations and many illegal activities were being carried out.&quot; 
 
Nearly 22 per cent of South Korean households last year had at least one pet, up from 17.4 per cent five years earlier, a trend fuelled by the rise in single-person households. 
 
At the same time, there has been a jump in the number of abandoned pets. 
 
The government expects the measures will help the industry increase revenues from 1.8 trillion Won ($1.56 billion) now to 5.8 trillion Won in 2020. 
 
Under the plan, animal funeral facilities will be legalised, addressing complaints from pet owners over current law that says dead pets must be discarded, like household rubbish, in plastic garbage bags. 
 
New laws will also make it possible to start pet-related businesses like hotels, cafes and training centres. 
 
Pet cafes, where human customers can mingle with dogs and cats while having a cup of coffee, are increasingly popular in South Korea even though current law forbids the sale of food where animals can roam. 
 
The government will also introduce a veterinary nursing license and encourage insurers to develop more pet insurance policies. 
 
The measures are part of broader efforts to bolster various industries, including halal and kosher food production, the housing market and sports, as the government tries to find more sources of growth. 
 
&#39;TOO MANY PETS&#39; 
 
Fines for abandoning pets will be raised threefold from 1 million Won, while government support for animal shelters will be increased. 
 
Last year, 82,000 pets were abandoned or lost in South Korea, straining its 307 shelters, according to the government. 
 
&quot;They should have started this process a long time ago,&quot; said Kwon Beom-suk, a veterinarian in Seoul. 
 
&quot;We have too many pets in South Korea even though the pet culture has not matured yet.&quot; 
 
Fines will also be increased for unregistered or abusive animal-breeding facilities.&nbsp;About 1,000 commercial dog breeders are now operating, more than 80 per cent illegally, according to the government. 
 
Thursday&#39;s announcement comes amid public outrage over television reports showing abuse of dogs at some so-called puppy mills, including non-veterinarians performing crude caesarean sections on pregnant dogs.&nbsp;Kang said the government&#39;s planning preceded the broadcasts. 
 
($1 = 1,154.6700 Won) 
 
(Reuters)

New measures would enable South Koreans to legally operate services for pets such as animal cafes, hotels and funeral parlours

South Korea aims to regulate the increasingly common ownership of pets in a bid to promote an unsupervised sector that the government sees as economic growth opportunity, and to crack down on animal abuse and neglect. Measures announced on Thursday will enable South Koreans to legally operate services for pets such as animal cafes, hotels and funeral parlours, while imposing stiffer punishment on breeders found using unsanitary or inhumane methods. Pets were once rare in South Korea, a country where the consumption of dog meat was widespread though it has declined sharply during the rapid modernization of recent decades. "We know we are a bit late, but we are aiming to become a developed country in terms of the pet industry," Kang Chong-suk, director of the finance ministry's general policy coordination division, said in a telephone interview. "There were absolutely no regulations and many illegal activities were being carried out." Nearly 22 per cent of South Korean households last year had at least one pet, up from 17.4 per cent five years earlier, a trend fuelled by the rise in single-person households. At the same time, there has been a jump in the number of abandoned pets. The government expects the measures will help the industry increase revenues from 1.8 trillion Won ($1.56 billion) now to 5.8 trillion Won in 2020. Under the plan, animal funeral facilities will be legalised, addressing complaints from pet owners over current law that says dead pets must be discarded, like household rubbish, in plastic garbage bags. New laws will also make it possible to start pet-related businesses like hotels, cafes and training centres. Pet cafes, where human customers can mingle with dogs and cats while having a cup of coffee, are increasingly popular in South Korea even though current law forbids the sale of food where animals can roam. The government will also introduce a veterinary nursing license and encourage insurers to develop more pet insurance policies. The measures are part of broader efforts to bolster various industries, including halal and kosher food production, the housing market and sports, as the government tries to find more sources of growth. 'TOO MANY PETS' Fines for abandoning pets will be raised threefold from 1 million Won, while government support for animal shelters will be increased. Last year, 82,000 pets were abandoned or lost in South Korea, straining its 307 shelters, according to the government. "They should have started this process a long time ago," said Kwon Beom-suk, a veterinarian in Seoul. "We have too many pets in South Korea even though the pet culture has not matured yet." Fines will also be increased for unregistered or abusive animal-breeding facilities. About 1,000 commercial dog breeders are now operating, more than 80 per cent illegally, according to the government. Thursday's announcement comes amid public outrage over television reports showing abuse of dogs at some so-called puppy mills, including non-veterinarians performing crude caesarean sections on pregnant dogs. Kang said the government's planning preceded the broadcasts. ($1 = 1,154.6700 Won) (Reuters)

South Korea aims to overhaul its pet sector

Pet, News on Pet, stories on Pet, articles on Pet, Pet stories at Wion, Pet news, Pet latest news