No dog registration process yet

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 18

Despite the state government orders in 2013, Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB) has failed to initiate the registration of dogs in the city to date.

The Municipal Corporation was instructed to implement the Punjab Municipal (Registration and Proper Control of Dogs) Bye-laws that make it mandatory for the MC to register every dog in its records. Under this, every dog will have to be registered within a week of its arrival within the MC limits at a fee of Rs 250. The registration shall be valid from April 1 to March 31 every year.

On registration, a metal token with the name and address of the owner engraved on it will be issued, which would have to be worn by the dog all the time. The owner could be penalised between Rs 50 and Rs 250 if his or her dog is found without the metal collar.

Canine owners will also have to provide details of the inoculation against rabies, duly certified by a veterinary doctor. Further, if a dog is brought within the MCB limits for bonafide show purposes, the owner will be charged Rs 50 per day. In addition, the owner of the dog will also have to pay Rs 100 for taking his or her dog to any canine sporting event or dog show.

The law has strict rules for those found indulging in cruelty towards animals. An owner found torturing his canine can end up losing his licence to keep the dog. However, the owner can file an appeal against the order with the MCB.

The owner will also be held responsible if his pet trespasses on someone’s premises and kills or injures anyone. However, if the canine attacks livestock, the owner of the livestock and not the owner of the dog shall be responsible for the loss.

Joint Commissioner BD Singla said the programme was in process, but was not implemented as its bye-laws were still not notified to them.

The scheme has already been implemented in Chandigarh and Mohali.

Implementation woes

• The MC was instructed to implement the Punjab Municipal (Registration and Proper Control of Dogs) By-laws that make it mandatory for the MC to register every dog within a week of its arrival in its limits at a fee of Rs 250 
• The law provides certain rules for maintaining dogs in cities and make owners accountable. However, the MC has failed to implement the programme which has been running  successfully in Mohali and Chandigarh
• Joint Commissioner BD Singla said the programme was in process, but was not implemented as its by-laws were still not notified to them.