Malacca dog ban ruling in effect since 2013

MALACCA: The ban on dog ownership for those staying in intermediate terrace houses here has been in force since 2013, but licences have been continually issued on a case-by-case basis, says State Housing, Local Government and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ismail Othman.

He said some 3,000 dog licences had been approved by four local councils this year alone, covering all manner of breeds such as American Pitbulls, Rottweillers, Dobermans and German Shepards, among others.

"We have not barred any dog owners from having pets despite the ruling that the intermediate terrace houses are not allowed to have dogs.

"We are going on a case-by-case basis. Local councils do not simply deny licences if the dogs pose no threat to neighbours," he said when contacted on Thursday.

"The ruling on dogs at terrace houses was due to increasing complaints from residents about vicious dogs and loud barking," he said.

Ismail said the local councils have been approving dog licences for those in intermediate terrace houses if neighbours on both sides were agreeable to it.

Ismail said the councils had no choice in some cases as the neighbours objected to it.

He said he was perplexed why the issue had suddenly cropped up when the by-law was approved three years ago.

"Anyway, Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Idris Haron) will hold a meeting with all local councils once he is back from performing the Haj," said Ismail.