[Sportschosun reporter Jang Jong-ho] A unique platform in China that lets people rent a dog by the hour for walks has sparked controversy.
Some say it offers a new experience for people who find it difficult to keep a pet, but many are also raising concerns about animal welfare and safety.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Wangbu, a pet-sharing platform in China, launched the service on social media in March. The platform's name means 'dog walking' in Chinese, and users can pay by the hour to enjoy walks with a dog.
The service is currently available in major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
The process is relatively simple. Dog owners register their pets' profiles on the platform, and users select the dog they want and apply for a walk. After that, the owner and the user arrange the handoff and return directly. However, the dog may only be fed food and snacks provided by the owner.
Fees range from 10 to 60 yuan per hour, or about 2,000 won to 12,000 won, depending on the breed and the length of use.
The platform said it operates measures such as pet insurance, real-time location tracking and real-name verification to ensure safety.
It also limits walks to areas familiar to the dog, and if any unusual symptoms appear during the walk, the owner must be notified immediately.
Reactions from people who have used the service have generally been positive.
Users said in unison that "spending time walking a dog helped relieve academic stress and anxiety."
Experts, however, are expressing concern.
One veterinarian pointed out that "repeated exposure to unfamiliar people, environments and changing routines can cause unnecessary emotional stress for dogs."
The veterinarian added that "under Chinese law, dogs and cats are still classified as property, so legal remedies may not be easy if abuse or an accident occurs."
Critical reactions to the service are also continuing online.
One netizen argued that "if you simply want to spend time with a dog, volunteering at an animal shelter would be more appropriate."
Another person said that "pets are treated like family, so it is hard to understand renting them out for money."
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
