Mohali MC approves Rs 2 lakh compensation for death by stray animal

As per the new bylaws approved by MC, owners to pay ₹500 to get their dogs registered within six months, after which they will be charged ₹100 and ₹200 for a delay of one month and two months, respectively

The Mohali municipal corporation (MC) has decided to pay ₹2 lakh as compensation for death caused by a stray animal. In its last General House meeting held via video conferencing on Saturday, the civic body approved of registration, proper control of stray animals and compensation to victims of animal attack bylaws.

The MC has clarified that no compensation will be paid if the attack was due to provocation or negligence of the victim. (Gurminder Singh/HT)

The Mohali MC, which has 50 councillors, got dissolved on Saturday after completing a five-year term and now, all the decision making powers are vested with MC commissioner Kamal Kumar Garg till next elections take place.

Garg said that the MC will pay compensation in case of death caused due to attack by a stray animal, but in a case where a pet animal is involved, the owner will have to pay the compensation.

He said that the penalties collected for violating the bylaws will be used for maintaining animal pound, payment of compensation to victims of stray animals attacks and cost of identification and veterinary healthcare of stray animals.

Mayor Kulwant Singh said, “These bylaws were long awaited and will go a long way to check the menace of stray animal, including dogs, cattle and monkeys.”

The MC has clarified that no compensation will be paid if the attack was due to provocation or negligence of the victim, he added.

As per the approved bylaws, in case a person becomes disabled due to the animal attack or bite, the person will be entitled to ₹2 lakh compensation, provided the civil surgeon issues a certificate. Earlier, Mohali had no bylaws to govern stray animals and compensate the victims.

Only two dogs per family allowed

Under the bylaws, the MC had put a cap on the number of the animals that can be owned by a family. As per the bylaws approved now, each family in Mohali can keep only two dogs. MC has given six months for getting the pets registered.

MC commissioner said that the registration of pet animals, be it a cat or a dog, is mandatory and will be valid for 12 months. The registration will have to be approved by April 30 every year, he said.

For dogs, the registration fee will be ₹500. Late fee of ₹100 will be charged if there’s one-month delay while ₹200 will be charged for a two-month delay. However, for a delay of more than two months, money worth five times the registration fee will be charged. Besides, the animal will be impounded and maintenance charges of ₹200 per day will be levied.

Chain your dog before taking out for walk

While taking out pets for walks in public places, the animal should be muzzled and chained. The pets will have to wear the token issued by MC after registration on the collar every time. It will be the responsibility of the dog owner to remove the animal excreta in case of default penalty of ₹1000 be imposed. Apart from this, the owner will have to show vaccination certificate during inspection, failing which ₹200 be imposed. Also, the bylaws have a provision of cancellation of registration and seizing of animal for repeat offenders

Fee to keep animals brought in for shows

The organiser will have to pay ₹2,000 per day for the duration that MC limits to keep animals for show.

No abandonment of animals

Abandoning of old and sick animals is prohibited under the bylaws. The owner will be penalised ₹50,000 per animal and will be liable to prosecution under prevention of cruelty of animal act. Dead animals will be buried at designated places.