One Flat, One Dog Policy Returns

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is introducing the Pet Dog Licensing Bylaws 2020 shortly. Two years back, the BBMP’s Pet Dog Licensing Laws 2018 had met with strong criticism from pet parents and animal activists, because, among other things, BBMP was limiting the number of dogs per flat to one and per independent house to three.

Petitions were filed in the Karnataka High Court leading to the Palike withdrawing the laws in 2018. In 2020, BBMP is expected to place the Pet Dog Licensing Bylaws 2020 before the BBMP Council for its nod. However, though the one-dog-per-apartment rule stays, animal rights activist Priya Chetty-Rajagopal acknowledged the proposal for many reasons. “Perhaps for the first time in the country, a civic body like BBMP has tried to prepare pet licensing laws that are not only data-oriented, strongly meshed with Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA) at the back end, but also driven by welfare and community perspectives. These bylaws have to be filtered after extensive discussions and iterations with communities, RWAs, apartment associations, and animal welfare representatives. The focus is on keeping both human and dog communities safe and in peaceful coexistence.”

With regard to the one-dog-per-apartment rule, BBMP Special Commissioner D Randeep said, “Pet activists wanted to make sure that pets were not ill-treated by confining them to congested places. We have also explained the measures being taken to prevent people from becoming breeders. The process of licensing will enable the BBMP authorities to know whether the pet dog is neutered and vaccinated. Animal activists wanted to know the fate of pet parents with more than one dog. This proposal is not retrospective by prospective.”

The new draft of proposals will be discussed at the next BBMP Council meeting. “We have invited objections and suggestions from the animal lovers. We have taken their suggestions into consideration while preparing the draft on the proposed pet dog licensing bylaws,’’ said BBMP Commissioner BH Anil Kumar.

In order to prevent disturbance and nuisance to neighbors, the BBMP recommends owners residing in flats/multi-dwelling units to avoid ferocious dog breeds like German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman, and Hounds. The owner of every pet dog irrespective of breed and origin kept within BBMP limits must obtain and renew the license every year on payment of a specific fee, says one of the proposals.

The draft proposes differential licensing fees for giant/large breeds, medium breeds and small/toy breeds as classified and recognized by the Kennel Club of India.

Any adoption of Indie dogs or rescued/injured/abandoned dogs of any breed is to be exempt from licensing fees, subject to certification of the same by the designated BBMP veterinary officer.

One of the proposals that will be appreciated is that the bylaws put the onus on pet parents to scoop the poop of their pets if it has committed a nuisance in any public place. Owners failing to discharge the responsibility will be penalized Rs 500 for the first offense and double the amount for second and subsequent time.

The above-mentioned restrictions are prospective in nature and are enforceable six months from the date of final notification of these bylaws and not applicable to the pet dogs which are already licensed and where the pet-owners are in possession of a valid pet-dog license, says the draft.

Describing it as best and aimed at the welfare of animals, Priya Chetty Rajagopal said the proposed pet dog licensing bylaws would promote the adoption of dogs.

The proposals, this time too, make it mandatory for pet dog owners to get a license and a radio collar embedded with a chip for their canines. Failure to do so would pave the way for a fine of Rs 1000. Some suggestions compiled by the CJ Memorial Trust (instituted in the memory of Rajagopal’s pet dog ) from pet parents, activists and pet lovers, that was given to the BBMP.

Please note: This article is not edited by Dog Express Team!