This is another arm twisting tactic adopted by landlords to get rid of old tenants so that they can rent the premises for higher rents, residents complained to Khaleej Times.

If the local authorities fail to check this trend of landlords pressurising tenants in such ways, a number of animal lovers will be displaced from their homes, or forced to abandon their pets.

Hashim Al Awadi, Head of the Veterinary Services Section at the Dubai Municipality  however clarified that as far as the section was concerned there were no regulations that specifically prohibited keeping of pets in apartments. “Smaller species of pets,  particularly dogs, are very appropriate for apartments, and that is normally the case in Dubai. Neighbours or landlords may have a problem if the pets are, for instance, noisy. In this case the police would be involved, while in disputes arising from other reasons the section would be approached by the parties,” Al Awadi said.

He said while the section does not play a regulatory role, it ensures that owners have their pets vaccinated in the interests of public health.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Ajman Department of Municipality and Planning said that the Ajman municipality has not issued any decision banning domestic pets in apartments.

Hassan Al Balgouni, Spokesman for Sharjah Municipality also expressed similar views and denied any circular or notice issued by the municipality to the landlords to prohibit tenants from keeping pets in their apartments. However, if a pet is a disturbance and causes panic among residents of a building, the municipality will immediately take action against the pet owner by forcing him to get rid of the pet.

Al Balgouni urged the public to cooperate with the municipality to maintain security and better health environment in the emirate by calling the emergency section for reporting any problem that can affect the health of the society.

Majid, Manager of Al Wazir Real Estate, which leases out residential buildings both in Dubai and Sharjah also pointed out that there is no directive received from the local municiplaities prohibiting tenants from having pets in apartments. Majid said that it was not legal to make tenants sign any agreement prohibiting them from sheltering pets such as small sized dogs or cats in their apartments.

He disclosed that tenants who are served with such notices or circulars by their landlords should complain to the local Municipalities. Only in case of non-payment of rents, landlords can serve eviction notices to the tenants, any other practice is illegal, Majid added.

Aggrieved residents complained about lack of directives on the issue. ''We have no information who to approach to lodge such complaints,'' said Vanita Raj (name changed upon request), residing in one of the high rise buildings in Sharjah . She pointed out that the building landlord had put up a notice near the elevator stating that tenants with pets either get rid of their pets or vacate their apartment. I have not been personally informed, she said, but, at the time of my tenancy contract renewal, if the landlord asks me to leave the building because of my pets (a dog and cat), I will fight it out with him and take the matter to the local authorities.

Vanita said she was not made to sign any agreement earlier which restrained her from keeping pets at home.''My pets are like my children and I cannot abandon them,'' she said adding, in the worst case scenario she would rather give up the place than her pets.

Vanita said her pet dog, a poodle, is very friendly and has in so many years never harmed or attacked anyone or caused injury of any sorts. My pet does not even bark and I ensure that we do not travel in the elevator with other people when the dog is with me. But, this is out of sheer respect for my neighbours, said Vanita, upset with the new inhuman practice of the landlord.

“How can I dump my pets?” E. Ahmed, another animal lover from Sharjah asked, pointing out that he had agreed to earlier demands by the landlord forcing him to use the stairs to take the dog out for its daily walk. “I live on the 15th storey and have been trying to walk down the stairs daily to avoid any confrontation with the landlord. But, now this notice served on us to vacate the apartment because of a pet is an arm twisting tactic to get rid of us and bring in new tenants willing to pay high rents,'' he said.

He said “I understand that UAE is an Islamic country and that dogs are considered haram by muslims. But, my terrier is a tiny dog and very friendly and has never barked or caused any harm to my neighbours and friends. Ahmed, himself a Muslim, said :''I believe in respecting the feelings of my neighbours irrrespective of their religion and nationality, but do not approve of being penalised by the landlord for having pets at home.''

S. Kumar, a resident of a building in Bur Dubai also expressed similar concerns pointing out there is very little assurance that the new landlord will allow us to keep pets. “The tenancy contract does not outline any clause prohibiting tenants from keeping pets. Then why are landlords and real estate agents adopting such practice and adding to our stress,” he

wondered suspecting an ulterior motive on their part. 

Adel Amin, a tenant of a building in Dubai who has a pomenarian dog asked: ''How many of us can move to independent villas with pets? Rents in Dubai are already skyrocketting and it has become difficult to pay for our apartments. Pet owners cannot move to villas because some landlords want to add to their harassment.''

Dubai veterinary services head Hashim Al Awadiy also noted that the agreement between landlord and tenants is the primary solution to problems arising from issues such as pets in apartments. “I think the agreement between the landlord and tenants is what simplifies the issue, and it is the terms and conditions of such an agreement that should be referred to if there are any disputes,” he added.