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SINGAPORE
Condominium in Hougang bans dog-walking, sparking petition from over 90 dog owners
Riverfront Residences in Hougang has imposed a ban on dog-walking following complaints of uncleared faeces. The decision, which forces pet owners to use an underground parking lot, has sparked a petition signed by over 90 dog owners calling for a more targeted solution.
Published
20 hours ago on 16 September 2024
By The Online Citizen
Photo of the notice from ShinMin Daily
Riverfront Residences, a condominium in Hougang, has banned dog-walking on its premises
following complaints about uncleared dog faeces damaging the lawns and public amenities.
The decision, communicated via a notice issued at the end of August 2024, has drawn significant backlash from dog owners living in the estate, who have since submitted a petition to reverse the ban, according to a report by Shin Min Daily News.
The management’s decision was prompted by repeated incidents of faeces and urine left on the property grounds, which reportedly led to damage to the landscaping and complaints from residents.
In response, a rule was introduced that forbids dog-walking on the condominium’s ground floor areas, forcing pet owners to use an underground parking lot to exit the compound with their pets.
The alternative route, however, has been met with concerns from the condominium’s residents. Ms Liu, a 46-year-old resident, highlighted that the dimly lit and busy parking lot lacks a designated pathway, making it an unsafe environment for walking dogs. “It’s not a good place to walk your dog,” she said.
Other dog owners echoed her sentiments. One resident, Ms Liang (41), shared that she had specifically moved from public housing to the condominium in order to provide a better environment for her golden retriever. She expressed frustration at the sudden imposition of the rule, stating that she would not have chosen the property had she known about its pet-unfriendly policies.
Another dog owner, Ms Huang, raised concerns about her elderly dog, who struggles with mobility and can only manage short walks. “It’s been very inconvenient,” she said, adding that the management should target irresponsible pet owners instead of punishing all residents. Liu agreed, noting that most dog owners in the condominium were responsible and only a few “bad apples” failed to clean up after their pets.
Riverfront Residences, located along Hougang Avenue 7, was completed in 2023 and has since attracted a significant number of pet-owning residents.
However, the recent ban has left many feeling that their concerns are not being adequately addressed. According to the Shin Min report, over 90 dog owners have submitted a petition urging the management to reconsider the rule and address the issue through stricter enforcement on individual offenders rather than a blanket prohibition.
Residents are now awaiting the management’s response to the petition, with many hoping for a more balanced approach that addresses the problem without unduly inconveniencing responsible pet owners.
