Owners may lose pet, face penalty as Chandigarh MC mulls changes in dog bylaws

Think twice before you treat your pet dog badly next time. The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has proposed a slew of changes in the dog byelaws to address the ill-treatment of pets.

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The MC will take away the pet dog, if found being ill-treated, and put it up for adoption. This is the one of the many significant changes the MC has proposed in the new dog bylaws. For the first time, it has also been proposed to add penalty for different violations of the dog bylaws in the water and property tax bills. Presently, the civic body charges penalty in cash.

The MC has finalised the draft of the new dog bylaws after receiving objections from the public. The draft will be placed during the next general house meeting of the MC to held on May 30.

Sources said the MC had received overwhelming response as the city residents submitted various suggestions for the better management of stray dogs as well as pets.

The sources said the draft bylaws had been finalised incorporating the suggestions with an aim to increase the obligation on the owners for taking a proper care of the pets and treating them as family members.

The sources said the MC would not abdicate its responsibility after the registration of dogs. In the bylaws, it has been proposed that if the MC receives any complaint regarding the ill- treatment of a dog, a team will visit the owner’s house, record evidence and seize the pet. Besides, the cancellation of registration, proceedings under the law will be started in the court for cruelty towards animals. Fine will also be imposed, as per the bylaws.

Rs 10,000 fine for dog poop in public

Not feeding the pet properly or keeping it in unhygienic conditions in the house are some examples of ill-treatment cited in the bylaws.The MC is also making other major changes to the bylaws. The owner will have to pay Rs 10,000 fine if the dog is found defecating in public. The MC will consider the defecation in public as littering. It will impose the same amount of the penalty as imposed for littering in public under the solid waste management bylaws.

The MC has finalised a new policy after receiving the objections over draft bylaws , which will be placed in the next house meeting.

Strict rules had also been proposed for dog sellers, the sources said, adding that the registration of dangerous dog breeds will not be allowed. However, the owners who have already registered these breeds will be exempted. Designated feeding zones for stray dogs will be identified with the consultation of the local residents. It will also ensure that no littering takes places at the feeding spots. Those found littering in public will be challaned.

As per the Chandigarh Registration of Pet Dogs Bylaws, it is mandatory for the dog owners to register each pet with the Municipal Corporation once the canine is four-month-old.

RK Garg, president, Second Innings Association, said the MC must also ensure 100 per cent registration of dogs. In the absence of a consistent drive by the MC, the bylaws have lost their purpose. He said people were not coming up for the registration to avoid punishment.