VietNamNet Bridge – Residents in apartment buildings in big cities have complained about dogs and cats in their living places, claiming that the horrible smell, barking and toilet habits of the animals has seriously affected their lives.

Illustrative image -- File photo

There are no specific regulations on the raising of pets in apartment buildings. Every building has its own regulations, depending on its residents' agreement.

Nguyen Minh Trang, resident in Trung Hoa Nhan Chinh apartment building in Ha Noi's Cau Giay District said that she had argued with her neighbours many times as their dogs kept barking at night and smelt horrible.

"It's really annoying, especially at the weekends as we want to relax in a quiet and clean environment. That's why we moved here," she said.

Trang said although the neighbours tried to keep things clean, it was hard for other residents, including her, to accept the bad smell whenever they opened the door or took the dog out.

The dog was moved out of the building with a new owner, but many others pets are still living in the building.

"The apartments are quite close to each other. It's not a good place to raise dogs or cats," she said.

Le Thi Lien, resident in Linh Dam Apartment Building said that she did not support the raising of pets although there was no official ban from the building's management board.

"Just imagining the smell, or even the defecation of a dog in the elevator makes me sick," she said.

Nguyen Minh Truong, a security officer for the building, said the management board only encouraged households not to raise pets in the building to keep the living environment clean as there were no official regulations on banning pets at apartment buildings.

Thus, it was hard to force a certain household to move their pet to another place, unless it seriously affected other residents.

Ignoring ban

Minh Thi, a resident in Lang Ha apartment building said that she began raising a small dog three months ago although there was a ban on all dogs and cats.

"No pets are allowed here, but if you keep the public environment clean and don't disturb others, I think it's fine," she said, adding that there were at least ten households in her building raising dogs.

People in HCM City have similar problems.

Vu Trong Hop, deputy head of the Group 2 of Khai Minh apartment building in District 3 said that there were four households raising pets in their apartments. Their neighbours kept complaining and asked these households to move their pets out of the building.

They even complained to the People's Committee of Ward 8. The committee worked with the four households and they agreed to move the animals.

In Phu Thanh apartment building in HCM City's Tan Phu District, a ‘no pets allowed' sign has been installed on the elevator. It features small writing explaining that many residents have to keep their children at home to avoid being threatened or bitten by dogs, and they are annoyed by the smell and noise of the animals.

In high-end condominiums such as Giai Viet in District 8 and Saigon Pearl in Binh Thanh District, all residents are informed of the ban on dogs and cats when they move in.

Violators are required to move their pets out of the building, and would be likely to face fines of between VND200,000-1 million (US$8.8-44) or have their water and power cut off.

Do Trong Linh, a lawyer from Bao An law firm in Ha Noi said that according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's regulations, there are only fines of between VND100,000-200,000 ($4.4-8.8) for those who let their pets wander without chains or a muzzle, and VND500,000-1million ($22-44) for those whose dogs cause injuries or damage property.

VNS