PET owners frequenting the off-leash dog park in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, have petitioned the city council to protect it.
Over a dozen of them met at Central Park to sign a petition to ensure a safe and designated space for pet owners to let their dogs run about.
The move comes after Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) decided to dismantle part of the facility’s fencing.
Pet owners are also asking for MBPJ to engage with them and concerned residents on finding a win-win solution.
“The off-leash zone has long been a symbol of community harmony, responsible ownership and shared public space,” the petition read.
“We urge our local authorities to work hand-in-hand with residents to maintain and improve this valuable community area.”
Among those present was Global Human Rights Federation president Shashi Kumar Shanmugam, 52, who said dogs needed space to run around.
The non-governmental organisation (NGO) focuses on human rights violations relating to ethnic, linguistic and minorities.
“When dogs are enclosed in the off-leash zone, they are not disturbing or troubling anybody.
“Since this enclosure has been around for some time, it should be allowed to remain,” said Shashi, a senior legal manager of a law firm.
Joanna Chan, 53, a housewife who owns three dogs, said that besides Petaling Jaya folk, pet owners from Rawang, Kepong, Sungai Buloh and Kuala Lumpur also used the park.
“They bring their dogs to Central Park because there are not many public parks permitting this,” said Chan.
“For many years, there has been no issue.
“Pet owners bringing their dogs here have become friends
“So, this park is not only for our dogs but for their owners to connect with each other as well,” Chan added.
Real estate agent Jeanette Seow, 57, and Stan Lee, 72, said there were hardly any parks for dogs to run about unleashed.
Lee said dismantling the fence at the dog park would impose more restrictions on dog owners.
Partial dismantling of the dog run was carried out following a notice issued by MBPJ Landscape director Badrulzaman Jaafar to the area’s developer on Oct 7.
In the notice, the township developer was told that it had violated the city council’s Park By-Laws (MBPJ, 2005) and was instructed to cease all activities, vacate the area and remove the enclosure, including fences and signboards, by Oct 21.
A 34-second video circulated by a dog lover showed the dismantling process beginning on Oct 22, which was halted the next day.
On Nov 4, Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon had agreed to temporarily suspend the dismantling exercise for further discussions on the matter.
It was reported that Mohamad Zahri had said pet owners could take their dogs to the park provided they were leashed.
