No walk in the park for dog owners

ON THE ROAD: Both dog and owner have no choice but to take their walks around the neighbourhood — Pic: ra zak gha zali

PETALING JAYA:  "Where else can we take our dogs for a walk?"

This is the sentiment shared by most dog owners who claim having no choice but taking their pets for exercise in their residential area.

In the wake of Tuesday's incident where a 74-year-old man from SS19, Subang Jaya, was mauled to death by a dog while jogging, many owners hoped for more canine-friendly parks, as a random survey by The Malay Mail in Cheras, Subang and Petaling Jaya yesterday revealed.

K. Gopinath 36, of SS16, Subang Jaya, who owns a German Shepherd, said after the incident, people would be uncomfortable to see anyone taking his dog for a walk.

"We can’t blame them, but the tragedy would not have happened if there had been a place to take our dogs to."

He said most residential park areas prohibit dogs from entering instead. "So when a park does not allow us to bring our dogs there, we can only take them around the neighbourhood.

"The owners should also be careful by ensuring that their pets are securely leashed."

Lim Siew Kay, 52, who owns a Dalmatian, said they could not expect dog parks in every housing estate, but they could at least have separate canine corners in existing parks.

"All the parks have a signboard saying no pets are allowed. If there is a dog park around, please let me know as I don’t know any."

S. Arunadh, 28, of Cheras said if a dog was caged or kept on leash all the time, it could become aggressive.

"We need to take it out at least twice a day and there are no areas that we can take it to.

"Hopefully, the authorities would hear us out and come up with a solution."

The only known dog-friendly parks are Central Park, behind the 1Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya and Desa ParkCity, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur. However, these two parks may be located far away from many people.

In the incident, a cross-bred American bull terrier pounced on Yip Sun Wah in Jalan SS19/5b around 9am.

He died on the spot after suffering multiple wounds on the neck and a ripped ear.

The dog, named Beacon, was seized by the Selangor Veterinary Department.