Panchkula MC makes pet dog registration mandatory

The Panchkula Municipal Corporation has made pet dog registration mandatory. Residents have hailed the directive as an important step towards ensuring responsible pet ownership, improving public safety and promoting adherence to animal welfare norms.

The directive, issued under Section 311 of the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, and the Haryana Municipal Corporation (Registration and Proper Control of Dogs) Bylaws, 2008, is aimed at bringing pet owners into a structured framework.

In a communication addressed to all Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), the Chief Sanitary Inspector of the MC has urged full cooperation in facilitating the registration process. While the online registration through the SARAL portal has been closed, pet owners can now apply via the offline process.

However, while the intent is widely supported, residents have also voiced concerns over practical implementation of the directive. Many have pointed out that delays in processing applications, repeated follow-ups without updates and technical glitches in the SARAL Haryana portal are making the process cumbersome.

A resident shared that his application, submitted on April 9, was still unresolved, with the last communication he received was dated June 10.

The corporation has directed the pet owners to submit documents manually due to portal failures, but uncertainty continues to linger. Guidelines from the Animal Welfare Board of India, such as keeping pets on leashes and observing muzzle rules, are in place but difficult to enforce without efficient registration.

The pet owners and residents’ groups have called on the authorities to streamline procedures and ensure prompt responses, emphasising that registration is crucial not only for compliance but also for public health and order.

Meanwhile, the MC has reminded the pet owners to strictly follow guidelines laid down by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and the HMC Act, including ensuring dogs are kept on a leash, carrying waste disposal bags and using muzzles on pets while in public places. Failure to comply with these rules will attract action as per applicable laws and bylaws.

The move is aimed at ensuring public safety and proper regulation of pet ownership across the city. The communication has been shared with the Mayor, Commissioner, ward councillors and all RWAs to ensure wide dissemination of the directive.