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29 March 2024

Dubai Marina residents oppose pet ban

Published
By Sneha May Francis

Pet-owners, residing in Dubai Marina, have started a social media campaign to urge property developer Emaar to rethink its new animal-ban in residential area.

“We are shocked, surprised, saddened and disappointed by the unilateral and unexpected decision to ban dogs in Dubai Marina Promenade, which will effectively confine hundreds of dogs to their apartments, virtually banning them from any kind of public space,” read the petition, which was handed over to the developer on Sunday.

Talking to Emirates24|7, a spokesperson from Emaar said, “As part of enhancing the Marina Promenade experience at Marina Living, we are currently implementing the environmental management and monitoring programme as per the guidelines of Dubai Municipality to keep the premises clean, safe, hygienic and healthy at all times.

“We have requested our visitors to kindly refrain from bringing their pets along the Marina Promenade, as part of the hygienic measures.

“We look forward to the cooperation of our residents and visitors to further add value to the community.”

However, residents said it was Marina’s earier pet-friendly environment that attracted many families to live there.

On Sunday, their Facebook page named “Dubai Marina Dogs” had secured 977 likes, and had residents post images of their dogs near the signage banning them.

A status update shows how the residents have even approached local retailers in the area to step up efforts to ask “Emaar to recall the ban”.

“We love our home, we love our dogs,” read another post.

In addition to the petition, residents have decided to send a “comprehensive letter to Emaar top management asking for a discussion platform and an open and constructive dialogue”.

They even put up a signature petition on care2petition website, titling it “Demand to reverse the Ban on dog walking on Dubai Marina promenade”.

The campaign gathered 1,483 signatures as on early Sunday, with 517 more to go to reach the 2,000-mark.

“We, through this petition, request Emaar Group, to reverse the ban on dog walking on the marina Promenade, or to immediately allocate proper and safe designated areas where dogs can exercise, run and play, on the Marina,” read the campaign.

Notices stating, “Thank you for not bringing your pet along in the promenade,” cropped up at numerous spots in the Marina early last week.

Residents said the developer chose to change the rules without prior notice. “I moved here because it’s a great place to keep your pet, and I enjoyed taking my dog for a walk on the promenade. Now, where am I supposed to go?” asked a resident.

“I moved into the apartment after the landlord confirmed that the building was pet-friendly, but recently the owner put up notices stating ‘pets are not allowed’,” informed Victoria, who currently lives in Silicon Oasis and has two pet dogs.

“This came without any warning, and I didn’t know what to do. I continue to keep my dogs but whenever I enter the building reception, I get stared at by other residents and the new security staff.” In fact, the situation got so uncomfortably that she has now decided to move out.

Another resident, N Kumar, who lives in Sky Courts near Silicon Oasis, echoes a similar situation. “When we bought this place we were not told that we can’t keep pets, but now that’s the rule. We can’t even move out, or abandon our dog. So, we have no other choice but to break the rule.”