Abstract
The recent increase in the number of dogs in high-density urban environments causes conflicts between dog owners and non-dog owners and the access of dogs to urban parks has been controversial among park users. A lack of exercise and socialization, however, can cause canine behavior problems such as aggression and hyperactivity which are potential dangers to people and there has increased demand for a place where people and their dogs can interact and exercise together. In many developed countries, off-leash recreation areas (OLRA) are considered as safe and effective places that dogs can exercise, play, and socialize with other dogs while reducing conflicts between dog owners and other park users. This study aimed to review the issue of dogs' access to public parks and to examine the perception of park users on OLRA to provide insights and guidelines in establishing OLRA in Korea. The survey respondents, even non-dog owners, perceived that it is necessary to provide a separate space for dogs from other park users by providing OLRAs in urban parks and showed the willingness to use. Most of dog owners consider their dogs as companions or family members and feel the lack of places to exercise their dogs. As local government plays a major role in urban animal management which emerge as a social issue at present, more active interventions of municipalities are necessary to support various needs and activities of park users. An experimental OLRAs based on community participations would be a meaningful starting point to effective urban animal management.