What happens if developers fail to keep promise?

Readers continue to express their frustration over mistreatment of animals. Other topics: property flipping,, house rents

Readers continue to express their frustration over mistreatment of animals. Christopher Pike / The National

In reference to your article Off-plan property sales must be stopped, says chairman of Al Habtoor (October 11), I bought one in a project called Ajman Boulevard and paid a Dh75,000 deposit.

It has never been built. We all know what happens if we bounce payments and cheques. But what happens in cases such as these?

Tanya Milbourne, Abu Dhabi

Developers who hand over late should discount their prices and provide a partial refund to the buyer. They should also be penalised for not delivering on time. We need some kind of regulation on this.

Irshad Valli, Dubai

Animal suffering shames us all

The article How we treat animals reflects our society (October 12) is spot on.

There are groups of people and individuals who are doing all they can to end animal abuse here. They take animals off the streets, pay for treatment out of their own pockets and spend hours to find homes for animals – all because people dump their pets, sometimes pure breeds which in any other country would be classed as highly valuable.

Many here see animals as disposable objects. When they leave the country or get bored with their pets, they throw them away like rubbish. Sometimes these animals are euthanised.

Banning charity work and not having a government-supported animal foundation are not right.

It’s upsetting to helplessly watch starving and injured strays on the street, as it is illegal to feed them.

The Government should set an example of animal welfare by enforcing the law and holding educational campaigns on animal welfare.

Sarah Marie Boulton, Abu Dhabi

It is amazing to me that in a country full of animal lovers (please see all the videos and online material documenting their love of horses, tigers, lions and birds), nothing is being done to protect strays and left-behind pets. This is all about education. Empathy can be taught. I think an official body should look into the matter.

We cannot claim to live in a civilised society unless we can effectively deal with issues such as animal welfare. Laws must be enforced to curb animal abuse.

Roxana Telespan, Dubai

Thank you to Laura El Katiri and The National for this article. We need more of these eye-openers, so that more people become aware of the plight of animals.

I think schools and mosques can play a vital role in teaching and reinforcing ethical values. But we also need a strong support from the Government to protect animals. There are many good people working tirelessly for animal welfare who need help.

Enforcement of the existing animal protection laws, exemplary punishment of offenders, as well as financial support for rescuing abandoned pets and neutering programmes for strays would help.

Wiltrud Matthes, Dubai

House rents are still falling

House rents in Abu Dhabi have been dropping since June (Decline in Abu Dhabi rents and house prices to continue, October 12), so don't let property agents tell you otherwise.

Many people have lost their jobs in Abu Dhabi, therefore supply of property exceeds demand, so residents need to make sure they negotiate according to market rates. If they are refused, they can easily find places elsewhere.

You also need to make sure you are not penalised if you need to leave the country before the rental term is up.

Name withheld by request