‘Kai Fong’ wants Canidrome shut down

Local citizens residing near the Canidrome, along with a branch of the Macau General Union of the Neighborhood Associations (known as “Kai Fong”), have urged government authorities to remove the greyhound-
racing arena from their neighborhood due to enduring noise pollution, TDM English News reported.
Some residents have acknowledged that their daily lives have been greatly impacted by persistent dog barking coming from the racing venue, which is located in an almost residential area.
“It isn’t stinky, but it’s noisy. Our flat faces the street and we can’t sleep well. Dogs bark like ghosts,” said one female resident dwelling across from the dog-racing venue. “We have become accustomed to it and we won’t sleep near the street. We will sleep on the other side [of our flat].”
Another local senior, who claimed to have just moved into his new flat in close proximity to the Canidrome, told the journalist that the haunting noise almost made him find a new home.
“I have no choice since I just moved here two years ago, the barking makes me want to sell my flat. I want to but I can’t,” said the old resident.
Yet, for multiple vendors running their stalls across the street, the removal of the dog-
racing venue might impact their businesses, as there would be fewer visitors dropping by the area as a result, said a hawker.
The President of the “Kai Fong” Association for the Fai Chi Kei District, Chiang Kam Hong, stressed that the venue relocation could also give way to some social facilities beneficial to the neighborhood’s development.
“We may build a sports center, a car park and a playground instead. The north district lacks these facilities. Besides, there are many schools and youngsters in the district, and there aren’t enough facilities for them.”
Ho Wai Tim, a member of the Environmental Consultative Committee, proposed that the greyhound-racing be moved indoors if possible to minimize the possible impact on the surrounding neighborhood.
“The government should think of ways to update the facilities and what the demands are that the Canidrome needs to meet. We may consider indoor dog-racing, so that the barking won’t disturb residents and we may purify the smell before emitting it. In this way, the largest concern of the community could be solved.”