Dubai Marina residents to deliver petition to Emaar against promenade dog ban

Sunday, 20 July 2014 11:48 AM

(AFP/Getty Images)

A group of Dubai Marina residents will today deliver a petition to Emaar's head quarter calling on the master developer to reverse its ban on dogs using the promenade area of the marina development.

On July 13 Emaar erected signs forbidding dogs from accessing the Dubai Marina Promenade, which has prompted a backlash from dog owners living in the area.

Today (Sunday, July 20) residents Eli Abu Merhi and Rafael Lemaitre claim they will will deliver a petition signed by 65 residents, two retail owners and 1,333 other signaturees calling for the ban to be revoked.

The petition to be delivered to the offices of Abdulla Lahej, group chief executive officer of Emaar Properties, contains the following statement: “On Sunday the 13th of July, 2014, residents of the Dubai marina woke up to signs placed across the promenade, thanking them for ‘not bringing their dogs along to the promenade’. The decision, which was taken suddenly and without prior notice, does not take into consideration the large number of dogs, and dog owners living on the Marina, and who chose to live on the Marina for its dog friendly attribute. 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.”

Emaar said last week the decision to ban dogs from the area was taken for hygienic reasons.

“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,” a spokesperson for Emaar said.

“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.”

A concerned resident who contacted Arabian Business via email said animals have now been banned from any public space in the area.

“The outcome of this ruling will have tremendous impacts for dog owners and for the animals as in practical terms will mean dogs will be banned from any public space (they are already banned in JBR, the beach and now Marina, the only remaining public space on the community).

“In addition this will have considerable impact for the current owners which their property value will be diminished and for tenants with dogs which will have to move to a different community.”

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Posted by: Eddy V.O Monday, 21 July 2014 11:59 AM[UAE] - UAE

And the petition keeps growing, now 1500 signatures and I've seen that the letter now has 100 signatures. It is strange that Emaar has not given any response to it, the least that they can do is to answer a comprehensive and detail response and call for a meeting.

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Posted by: Mick Monday, 21 July 2014 9:00 AM[UAE] - UAE

The dogs deserve fresh air and a good walk as well (regardless of whether you are told to dislike dogs due to religious reasons)....they are also innocent living things and are much better tempered than many children living around here (perhaps better taught and guided, I presume, due to more involvement in their lives).....but I doubt a petition will get you anywhere. Also, it's the bad dog owners, as mentioned by Mushie F, that ruin it for the good ones. I don't live in Marina but I have seen many horrible dog owners that seem to ignore their pups' messes. Like I say for every situation in Dubai.....if we had more CIVIC MINDEDNESS in this city from all.....driving, holding doors open, moving to one side on an escalator, getting in queue in orderly fashion (on foot or wheels), saying thank you, please and I apologise and not making other people's lives more difficult due to selfish behavior...what a great city this could be...from the human side, not the development side

Posted by: Drew Monday, 21 July 2014 11:59 AM[UAE] - Canada

Brilliant. This city is so amazing, but all the little behavioural things you mentioned are what make me want to go back to Canada

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Posted by: Jean Lewis Monday, 21 July 2014 8:59 AM[UAE] - mexico

Totally agree with Mushie F . It is the actions of a few irresponsible dog owners that have caused this negative attitude towards dogs and dog owners. I urge municipalities to impose on the spot fines to irresponsible dog owners and I urge Dubai municipality as I have urged Abu Dhabi Municipality to please provide a safe and fenced dog designated area for all housing developments across the city. That way it's a win win for everyone . Our dogs will have a safe place to exercise and socialize and those that are afraid of or just don't like dogs don't have to interact with them. There are NO BAD DOGS JUST BAD DOG OWNERS. We are not asking that everyone like dogs but please our dogs don't litter, don't spit, don't run around screaming and destroying public property and don't pull out flowers like most of your children and yet no one bans children from public areas or apartments.

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Posted by: Asif Monday, 21 July 2014 8:58 AM[UAE] - Qatar

The biggest issue we have with dog owners is that a lot of them don't pick up after they poo. I noticed this in the Springs around the lakes when I use to live there.

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Posted by: Tarek Monday, 21 July 2014 8:58 AM[UAE] - UAE

Fine people who don't clean up after their pet. And keep dogs on a leash. Don't ruin it for everyone!

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