New Rules for Noida Pet Owners: ₹10 K Fine Over the Mishap, Mandatory Registration

The decision was taken in the 207th board meeting of the Noida Authority following the guidelines of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).

Considering suggestions by the public, NGOs, and RWAs, the Noida Authority has released an updated version of their dog policy, including the responsibilities of different parties and fines that can be violators and levied. Also, it has barred villages or RWAs from issuing rules apart from these.

Noida is set to execute new rules for pet owners, which can include a fine of ₹10,000 in case the pet attacks someone. In its latest guidelines, the Noida Authority on Saturday made it mandatory for pet owners to register their pets by January 31 next year. Failing to do so, a penalty may be imposed.

“In case of any untoward incident due to pet dog/cat, treatment of an injured person or animal will be done by the owner of the pet dog along with the imposition of fine of ₹10,000 from March 1, 2023,” the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Noida Authority, Ritu Maheshwari, said in a tweet. “If a pet dog is littered in a public place, it will be the responsibility of the animal owner to clean it,” she further added.

The authority has also made anti-rabies vaccination of pet dogs compulsory. Failing to do so, pet parents will have to pay a fine of ₹2,000 every month. The authorities also informed that “with the consent of RWA (Residents Welfare Association)/AOA(Apartment Owners’ Association)/ village residents, the construction of a dog shelter for sick street dogs” can be undertaken. However, the “maintenance of the same will be the responsibility of the concerned RWA/AOA.”

What will attract penalties:

• A registration fine of Rs 500 is payable by January 31, with a Rs 200 fine the next month. In March, Rs 10 penalty will be applied each day.
• For new registration after May 1, a fine of Rs 200 will be applicable over the fee, with a Rs 10 penalty each day in June.
• Every month a pet dog or cat goes unsterilized after January 31, a Rs 2,000 fine will be levied.
• If a pet attacks and injures a person, the owner will be responsible for the treatment and will have to pay a Rs 10,000 fine.
• Pet owners will not be allowed to leave their dogs alone in public parks and will have to clean up after them if they defecate. If they do not, they will have to pay successive fines of Rs 100, 200, and 500.
• Dog owners will be fined Rs 5,000 for running a breeding centre out of a flat or home.