We’ve had a similar version of the new NSW pet by-law since before the new rules came in and now I reckon we’ve reached peak puppies and pussies in our Sydney block of 38 units. The by-law won approval narrowly. I lived here with pets not allowed for 18 years.
There are now two couples with two small dogs, that’s four; and six other dogs. So a total of 10. The dogs are at home locked up all day, which I think is cruel. (One only, has a dog walking service every couple of days.) There are, as far as I can see, 9 cats too most of which roam.
But the dog thing: they are all young, working couples with trendy breeds of dog (Boston Terriers etc). I suggest they are not for companionship or comfort but status symbols. I don’t get that! They all seem inbred and devoid of sense and personality to me. Early one morning last week one ‘dog daddy’ in his pyjamas chased his terrier escapee down the driveway cursing and I actually hear him yell at the terrier “F—- you Miffy” as he struggled across the gravel in bare feet. Would’ve been funny if it wasn’t about half past six in the morning.
The little dogs yap a lot while they are locked inside all day, alone; again that seems SO cruel. They yap when taken for late evening and early morning (how about 5am yapping?!) toilet excursions, usually on the common garden areas. Even if the poos are picked up it’s unsavoury and doesn’t seem right. About half of these owners also have their dogs off the lead in common areas which breaks the rules.
So in my humble opinion, I think people in apartments shouldn’t be able to have dogs where they both work externally full time and the dog is home alone more often than not. If it can be shown they are for reasonably full time comfort and companionship, well OK. But limit the number of dogs per strata.
Maybe house cats are OK but when they’re alone more than not, that seems cruel too. Roaming cats? Don’t get me started.