Owning pets comes with certain responsibilities

I WAS dismayed upon reading the letter “Prosecute owners who let violent dogs roam freely” ( The Star, Aug 22) about the pet cat being killed by the Rottweiler.

All pet owners, regardless of the type of animals they have, must be responsible for the behaviour of their pets.

For dog owners, it is important for them to ensure that the safety of the public is not threatened by their pets. This can be done by properly training their dogs and, where needed, putting muzzles on them and not letting them leave the compound without a leash.

Owners must also ensure that their dogs do not bark wildly throughout the day or night as the noise is extremely annoying.

The dogs must be trained properly so that they do not have any behavioural issue. Pet owners should understand that while they may be able to put up with the constant barking, other residents are not able to tolerate the noise.

One of the main reasons for a dog to bark wildly is loneliness. Dogs require their companion, their owner, to spend time playing with them and taking them out for walks daily. Restraining dogs in a small cage also stresses them.

I suggest that the local authorities carry out checks on owners to determine whether they have the appropriate licence for their pet dogs and whether the breeds are permitted in that particular zone.

I understand that certain local authorities ban the ownership of Pitbulls and Rottweilers.

But I must also say that cat owners need to be accountable for the actions of their pets.

I have neighbours who allow their cats to roam freely and defecate in the compound of nearby houses.

In general, I believe the keyword here is “be responsible” if you intend to have a pet, be it a cat, dog or any other permitted animals.