‘Responsible owners don’t let their pets be a nuisance’

PET owners should be more responsible and ensure that their dogs and cats do not become a nuisance to neighbours.

Johor Baru mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman said this was needed to maintain good ties with neighbours.

“Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) usually receives complaints from the public about the presence of their neighbours’ pets in their house compound.

“This irritates them as these animals will leave their faeces in their compound despite many of them not owning a cat or a dog,” Mohd Noorazam said when contacted.

He said MBJB would carry out an inspection after receiving a complaint.

Action would be taken, he said, if checks found individuals were not being responsible pet owners.

“MBJB will issue a compound against the owner if they have allowed their pets to wander off and poo at their neighbours’ houses.

“The city council once issued a compound to a homeowner in Taman Daya with many cats for not cleaning up the house compound and leading to bad smell that affected neighbouring houses,” he added.

Mohd Noorazam believed pet matters could and should be resolved between neighbours.

He added that pet owners must always ensure their pets are well trained to prevent them from being a nuisance to neighbours.

“At MBJB, we always encourage people to maintain harmony with their neighbours. They must also respect one another,” he said.

Companion Animal Rescue Effort Society (Cares) chairman Joseph Chia said MBJB should come up with a proper directive for pet owners living in residential areas to avoid tension between neighbours.

“No one is happy to live near an irresponsible pet owner as their animals can cause problems for others.

“We have come across cases where pets were not taken care of and this caused hygiene issues for neighbours,” he added.

Chia said it was better for residents to communicate properly, especially when it involved pets.

He added that this was because some owners got defensive when issues were raised about their pets.

“We are living in a civil society. It is better for both sides to talk to one another and understand issues both are facing.

“Once both sides are able to share their views and stand on common ground, then we can see positive changes,” he said.