Residents call for dog-friendly communities in Dubai

Ammeeya K Rao's pet Ginger with his daughter Aashi and wife Rythym. - Supplied photo

Dubai - Apart from the lack of pet- friendly walking areas, owners face several other challenges while walking their dogs.

As the city's rapid urbanisation continues, dog lovers are finding it increasingly difficult to find areas to walk their furry friends. Residents often shift to apartments and villas in pet-friendly communities to address the issue.
Pet owners would like to see dedicated areas outside public parks, beaches, and even certain residential communities where they can walk their dogs.
Apart from the lack of pet- friendly walking areas, owners face several other challenges while walking their dogs. From worrying about thorns in the desert that could hurt dogs to running the risk of burning dog paws on heated tarmacs, there are very few entirely safe walking areas for pets, except in communities such as Mira, the Springs, Arabian Ranches, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Emirates Hills, Dubai Marina, The Lakes, and Downtown Dubai.
Animal advocate Natascha Walker, who is in charge of the pet database in the Mira Community, said there are approximately 450 dogs currently registered in their database. However, Walker believes that is only half the number of total dogs in Mira.
Walker and other pet owners in Mira consider themselves fortunate for having this space. "Dubai is taking a new direction when it comes to providing dogs with open spaces to exercise. If you look at the sheer number of shelters and spaces that provide services for pets that have opened up in the recent past, it is clear that the matter is being taken seriously."
She added: "A big part of keeping a dog happy by providing them with plenty of exercises."
However, other pet owners continue to struggle when it comes to finding space. Irresponsibility displayed by some individuals by abandoning their pets makes it hard for serious pet lovers. "Some people do not clean up after their dogs. They do not collect dog litter, they are not careful while taking dogs on walks, etc. This upsets people who are not familiar with dog behaviours," said Jyotsna Kanjhan, a pet owner living in Bur Dubai.
Kanjhan walks her dog in large, empty parking lots in Bur Dubai and Karama. Her furry friend Charlie is a member of the Second Home, Dubai, a luxury resort for pets. "If people are better behaved when it comes to their dogs, the reputation of other dog-lovers will also improve," she added. Resorts and shelters are also expensive, and not everyone can afford them.
Jessica Joseph, a resident of Al Warsan area, said: "I have three dogs and due to lack of places to walk them, we end up between the clusters or drive to the desert for 15 minutes every day. Scared from the thorns in the desert, I need to keep a close eye on my dogs so that no one ends up getting hurt."
She added: "I guess we need more places with fences and barriers where dogs can be left off-leash to run around and not far from Dubai. The current place Bark Park in Al Aweer, which is 30-40 minutes of drive early morning or late evening."
Ammeeya K Rao, a banker and resident of Mirdiff, had to shift from Buhaira Corniche in Sharjah so that he could keep his pet, Ginger. "My wife and I scouted to Mirdiff every weekend for a month before we decided to move. I adopted her from a rescue called 'Animal Project'. My dog is a Papillion-Chihuahua mix, and even though she is small, people in my old apartment caused troubles."
Ammeeya finds it more comfortable to walk his dog in Mirdiff. "The community is more open to dogs, and there is space for them. However, if parks were to open up spaces outside, it would be the best." He also recommends that municipality take a good look at each complaint before impounding the dog.

Dog-walking areas soon: DM