In Vietnam, pet ownership demands responsibility, not excuses: opinion

Many readers of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper said the issue is more than unsightly litter. It is a matter of public hygiene and respect.

At Gia Dinh Park in Ho Chi Minh City, for example, dog waste has become a recurring nuisance, prompting complaints from families and sanitation workers.

Multiple readers argued that some pet owners, while calling themselves “animal lovers,” neglect their responsibility to the community.

Allowing dogs to relieve themselves in public spaces without cleaning up is seen as disrespectful to neighbors, children, and the workers tasked with maintaining cleanliness.

The problem extends beyond feces and urine.

Poorly managed kennels contribute foul odors, dog hair can trigger allergies in apartment buildings, and constant barking disturbs residents.

In some cases, unleashed dogs have posed direct safety threats, including a recent incident in Ho Chi Minh City where four people were bitten by a rabid dog.

Many readers emphasized that dogs are domestic animals, not wild ones, and their “freedom” must not infringe on others’ rights to safety and cleanliness.

According to them, proper management including leashing, muzzling, and cleaning up waste, is described as both a moral duty and a legal responsibility.

They highlighted a message that pet ownership comes with obligations. If pet owners cannot control their animals, they should reconsider keeping them.

Community well-being must take precedence over personal convenience, they said.