Complaints on the rise

In a mall located on Ruihong Road in Hongkou district, the Dada Paw interaction space for pets and their owners is well-known among dog lovers.

Besides offering the functions of a traditional pet store, the venue provides enough space for pets to run and play freely while their owners chat. Some owners said they need places like this so their dogs can socialize and they can share their pet experiences.

However, the social hub has received a slew of complaints.

"Police officers from the local station said that we rank first in the district for the number of police calls received, with at least six in the latter half of last year," said Dai Wengai, manager of Dada Paw.

Dai said the space focuses on social retail around pets and there is a sign indicating that there are many pets inside. Individuals who dislike pets can choose not to enter.

Pan Shuhong, a lawmaker in Shanghai, said the city's laws have never permitted dogs, except for service dogs, to enter public facilities, including malls, or to travel on public transportation. The pet-friendly atmosphere in recent years was actually malls operating in a gray area, he said.

"I believe that the premise of pet-friendliness should be a social consensus, and that businesses have the necessary infrastructure to meet pet-friendly conditions. Otherwise, the outcome may not lead to the harmonious human-pet interactions that everyone expects," said Pan, who is also a lawyer.

Some Shanghai residents have said the needs of non-pet owners should be given equal consideration. Some people are allergic to cat and dog hair, while others have encountered situations where dogs are unleashed or bark and disturb the peace.

They argue that accommodating pet owners should never come at the expense of the consumer experience of everyone.

Cui said that some dog owners need to improve their behavior. "I see some dog owners in the residential compound walking their dogs without leashes, not picking up their dogs' waste, and allowing their pets to urinate on other people's car tires. If such behavior continues, pet owners will only find their paths becoming narrower," she said.