The Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) has approved controversial guidelines that will compel dog owners to obtain written approval from neighbours, but has decided to withhold implementation for the time being.

Licensing and health committee member Yap Yun Fatt said the committee has not given the go-ahead for implementation, but could not say how long the reprieve would hold.

"The council will normally seek our approval before enforcing these guidelines. As it stands, we have not approved implementation and the council will follow our instructions," he said when contacted today.

"The committee's decision came about after lengthy discussions - we considered the complaints we received both from residents and owners."

MPSJ introduced the guidelines in January after receiving numerous complaints from residents about the nuisance caused by dogs.

The range of complaints included cleanliness, noise pollution and safety. Dog owners were also said to have taken their pets to public places without keeping them on a leash. However, interest groups and dog owners had opposed the guidelines.

Under current provisions, dog owners can be fined up to RM2,000 or face a year's jail for breaching conditions of the annual licence.