Time to get your pet a licence in Mumbai

As per new BMC norms all pet owners in Mumbai must get their animals a licence, for them not be considered as strays. Also, a defaulting pet owner may have to shell out Rs 1,500 as fine, reports SU Mankikar.

If you want to give your pet the status of being a certified Mumbaiite, you need to head to the nearest registration centre soon. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that all pet owners must get their animals a licence, for them not be considered as strays. Also, a defaulting pet owner may have to shell out Rs 1,500 as fine.

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The civic ruling was passed under the mandatory Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act of 1888.

"We want to ensure that all the pets roaming around in the city are inoculated and safe for the society. It also helps us keep a tab on the number of pet animals in the city," said Executive Health Officer of BMC Jairaj Thanekar.

The owner of a pet can walk into any of the four dog licensing establishments in the city and register their pet at a fee of Rs 100. Once the pet is registered, it is compulsory for the owner to get the animal vaccinated annually and also tie a leash around its neck to differentiate it from the strays.

In case the dog does not have a leash around, the BMC van has the right to pick it up considering it a stray dog, said civic officials.