The authorities need to stop pet shops from selling dogs (Dubai pet shop at centre of sick puppies row gets authority warning, March 14). There are lots of mix and pure-breed dogs and puppies looking for homes. Thousands are abandoned. Animal welfare organisations are full of neglected and abandoned pets and strays, which is why shelters throughout the country are at overcapacity.
Pet stores should be made to help these organisations by taking these pets and strays and finding them homes, instead of getting sick animals from backyard breeders and selling them.
Wahid Al Riyami, Dubai
Shops should be banned from selling dogs. How could the buyer return the sick puppy to this hell hole? I would not call him an animal lover. My heart breaks for these animals.
Jules Halliday, Australia
Selling animals should be banned altogether. I’ve never heard of a pet shop here treating animals ethically.
Amani Hendi, Abu Dhabi
I’m saddened that the buyer returned the puppy to the shop. Now the poor animal is doomed to die. He should have demanded a refund, kept the puppy at home and got it treated.
It is about time shops were banned from selling animals and only allowed to offer rescued animals for adoption.
Emma Schlegel, Dubai
Prices go up everywhere
The arrival of VAT means nothing but a price rise (A guide to how VAT has worked in its early years, from Lebanon to the UK to Malaysia, March 14).
Prices go up every day across the globe. It’s life. We just need to get over it and pay the tax. The VAT here is merely 5 per cent, which is nothing compared to VAT in the rest of the world.
People need to stop complaining. No matter what we pay, life is better here and a whole lot safer. For that, I would gladly pay tax.
Tanya Milbourne, Dubai
Do not disturb the sea snakes
We call these sea snakes Tugasi in the Philippines (Sea snakes of the Gulf are focus of new research, March 11). They're usually not aggressive unless they're bothered in their habitat.
They are venomous and can be seen swimming through sea grass looking for prey. You can see them while snorkelling and scuba diving.
Gem Marie Bandiola, Fujairah
Litterbugs must be penalised
Implement fines (Education needed to tackle littering, March 14). The waters around Abu Dhabi are just as dirty with plastic bags and soda cans floating all over. Nearby islands are also filled with rubbish.
Carla Botha, Abu Dhabi
We need to understand the gravity of the situation. We live in this country and it’s our responsibility to keep it clean and tidy.
Still many would not bother. The authorities should not show any mercy to those people. Litterbugs should be fined heavily.
Mathew Litty, Dubai
Unsung heroes working silently
Sarah Brook is doing wonderful work, but there are many unsung female role models in the UAE who work tirelessly and use their salaries to fund their voluntary work in the rescue, treatment, housing and rehoming of stray animals (Dubai expat honoured for her work with children in Malawi, March 9).
Without these women, who work so hard for the cause, the UAE would have thousands more stray animals roaming the streets. Their contribution supports a safer and healthier environment and communities in this country. To all the women involved in animal rescue in the UAE, your work does not go unnoticed.
Amirah William, Dubai
