Abu Dhabi gets tough on dogs

Abu Dhabi is putting dog owners on a short leash by banning the animals from public beaches, parks and other sites.

The new rules, carried in local media today, were imposed after complaints of dog mess in the seaside sands and grassy areas in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The no-dog zones also include shopping centres, malls and public pools.

Officials say dog owners can still stroll with their pets on pavements and areas along roadsides, but a new code on picking up waste will be drafted.

The limits do not apply to Dubai and the other semi-autonomous emirates in the country.

Dogs traditionally have been shunned in Muslim culture, but are popular pets within the UAE's huge foreign communities.