Dubai dog lovers panic, courtesy new rules

Dubai, Nov 30 (UNI) Dog lovers in Dubai are spending sleepless nights due to recent decision of Dubai Municipal Corporation to round up around 16 particular breeds of dogs.

The disbanded breeds include the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Husky and Shar-Pei, and will be dealt as per municipality rules and regulations, the municipal notification said yesterday.

K9 Friends, a Dubai-based rescue charity that provides shelter for stray and abandoned dogs, Chairperson Jackie Ratcliffe said, ''the notice remains unclear and has caused panic among dog owners, with many continuing to call up the organisation for additional information and clarifications.'' The Dubai Municipality has framed different rules regarding keeping of dogs in villas as well as multi-story apartments.

''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, informed Hisham Fahmi, head of the Veterinary Section in Dubai Municipality, Khaleej Times reported yesterday.

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.

The new rule comes into effect from January 1, next year.

UNI