Dubai: Going to the Dogs

Not only are certain dogs banned, limits are placed on how many dogs you can have.

Villa owners can have one dog. Live in an apartment - no pooch for you!

The Dubai Municipality’s decision to round up certain select breeds of dogs under local order No.11, which comes into effect on January 1, has caused much consternation among some dog lovers.

The notice, which appeared in the newspapers on Wednesday, says Dubai Municipality will impound 16 particular breeds of dogs, including the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Husky and Shar-Pei, and “will deal with them as per municipality rules and regulations.”

K9 Friends Chairperson Jackie Ratcliffe said the notice remains unclear and has caused panic among dog owners, with many continuing to call up the organisation yesterday for additional information and clarifications.

However, Ratcliffe said she could only refer enquiries to the Dubai Municipality.
The Dubai Municipality, meanwhile, maintained that people who live in villas could keep just one dog.

Hisham Fahmi, head of the Veterinary Section in Dubai Municipality, earlier told Khaleej Times that people who live in apartments were not allowed to keep dogs.

“People are allowed to keep just one dog if they are staying in a villa. Those staying in apartments are not allowed to keep dogs,” he said.

A woman lawyer, who owns dogs and has rescued three dogs from K9 Friends, including an American Staffordshire Terrier, a Pit Bull and another breed of fighting dog, said she was shocked when she saw the notice this week.“Our dogs are not just pets, they’re part of our family,” she added, echoing the sentiments and anxiety of many passionate dog lovers like her.