Help animals
Some people have a big prejudice against dogs, cats and other pets. A few days ago, a K9 Friends volunteer and I rescued two dogs from the street. We took the dogs to a veterinarian who in turn discovered that one of them had cancer. He then proceeded to remove the tumour. The dogs have been on medication twice a day for the past five days. Once better, we intend to put the dogs back where we found them. I request the authorities to create programmes that not only facilitate funds for vets to treat and operate on street animals but also raise awareness in people to do something and help out. I call on people to help solve the problem by a way that hopefully that does not include killing the animals.
From Mr Brahim Farah
UAE
Check bills
I have been cheated twice at grocery stores. As I'm not the kind to keep track of everything I buy, it didn't strike me that I had been overcharged. It was only when I checked the bills at home that I realise I had been billed over the amount I actually needed to pay. I was angry and disgusted that the storekeepers would resort to such a thing. I urge people to check their bills before they leave the store so they can catch these cheats and penalise them for their unscrupulous activities.
From Ms Ruth Beverly L.
Dubai
Unfair tactics
Once, a petrol station attendant told me that the bill was Dh70, after I had filled up on petrol ("At some stations 'fuel evaporates into thin air'," Gulf News, July 5). I refused to believe him as my car's maximum fuel capacity is worth Dh60. On another occasion, an attendant started filling fuel without resetting the machine, which displayed Dh5 on it. When I informed him of the same, he coolly asked me to deduct Dh5 from the payment.
From Mr Nirmal Kumar
UAE
Not my bill
I can only advice everybody to check the meter before the attendant starts pumping petrol. After I read the article in Gulf News I did the test at the nearest petrol station to my house, where my husband and I have been customers for more than seven years. When I arrived there, the pump already had an amount displayed on it. On enquiring, the attendant said that he would charge me starting from that amount. I asked him to switch the pump to zero, which he at first refused and then very angrily adhered to. I concluded that the wrong amount on the meter was not a coincidence and from then on have always checked the pump meter before filling.
From Dr Christina Amtmann
Abu Dhabi
Respect and abide
I believe that the traffic congestion problem is because of the motorists themselves. It is amazing to see how efficiently some cut or jump lanes and forcefully try to sneak ahead, especially near Al Mulla Plaza in Dubai. If these motorists learn to respect the rights of fellow motorists and abide by driving laws, it would make a considerable difference in traffic congestion.
From Mr Nizar Ali
UAE
Justify it
Dubai being known as the best business hub, schools provide one of the most lucrative businesses ("UAE schools allowed to hike fees by 30%", Gulf News, July 6). However, schools should not forget that they are sacred institutions meant to produce quality citizens for this country. While they are worried about the cost of managing institutions, they should ensure that teachers, who are the pillars of any institution, are adequately paid. A minimum salary should be fixed for teachers and such salaries should be paid through banks only, as was done in the case of construction workers salary payments. Only then can there be a justification for this hike.
From Mr Ramanjaneyulu D.
UAE
Respectable lot
I am writing in response to the letter by a reader that I read in Gulf News, recently ("Teen angst", Gulf News, July 5). The letter clearly shows that he or she knows very little and his or her parents are much wiser, knowledgeable and insightful than he or she appreciates or even understands. In conclusion, it is not teenagers who always suffer. It is the knowing, insightful and wise parents who always suffer!
From Mr Ragnar Purje
Queensland, Australia
Different approach
A punishment is meant to make the person at fault realise his mistake and amend his habits ("Judges debate deportation order for indecent gesture in public", Gulf News, July 4). Instead of deporting, the accused should be made to stand in the same place where he committed the mistake and hold a placard explaining his 'crime' and an apology for a specified time period as given by the judges. This will deter others and also cure the accused of irresponsible behaviour.
From Ms Fasiha Khaiser
Dubai
Greedy landlords
Great report on the air-conditioner cleaning ("Keep the ACs clean to keep your home cool", Gulf News, July 5). However, I think many people, like us, have a landlord who only thinks of money and does not maintain the units. When we moved to our current apartment, 12 years ago, our AC filters were cleaned and changed every six months. Now after long arguments, our landlord might visit once a year or so.
From Mr Martine
Umm Suqeim
