RM500 fine, jail for rearing pets in flats
Published on: Saturday, March 16, 2019
By: Sidney Skinner
Flat and apartment dwellers around the State Capital could be liable for a RM500 fine and a six-month jail term if they are found to be rearing pets, including dogs and cats, in their units.A City Hall spokesman said this penalty could be imposed in extreme cases under the agency’s bylaws.ADVERTISEMENT
He said only rate-payers of landed properties were permitted to keep animals.
“Those living in flats, apartments, condominiums and other high-rises will initially be asked to give up keeping these canines,” he said.
He said they would be given a grace period in which to do this.
“Should they fail to adhere to our instructions, they could wind up having their pets impounded and slapped with a compound of between RM100 – 500.”ADVERTISEMENT
The spokesman said repeat offenders risked having legal action taken against them.
“If they are found guilty, they can be fined and imprisoned.”
ADVERTISEMENT
He was responding to a complaint about the haphazard disposal of cat litter at some Sembulan apartments.
A pet owner has apparently been throwing the soiled sand into the gutters for the block where he/ she stays.
On top of impeding the flow of the runoff when it rains, the stench has become intolerable to those occupying the nearby units.
The spokesman said more information was required for City Hall to intervene on this matter.
“The neighbours should provide us with the location of the block and apartment where the cat is being reared,” he said.
“An inspection will be carried out of the area, once we have this information, before further action can be taken.”
The rate-payers should contact Hotline to find out whom to see about this matter.
KATH of Sembulan said she often had to keep the windows towards the back of her apartment closed to prevent the stench from coming in doors.
“I have appealed to my neighbour to stop dumping the dirty sand in the gutters,” she said.
“But my pleas have, so far, fallen on deaf ears.”
At one stage, she approached the management company (MC) for the apartments about this problem.
“The MC’s staff assured me that they would have a word with the apartment-owner but the situation has yet to improve.”
Kath was at a loss to understand why the cat-owner did not simply bag the litter and throw it into his/ her bin together with the household waste.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
“It is very unhygienic to dispose of the sand in the gutters. This action is liable to have a negative impact on the health of those us staying here.” (SS)