Pune municipal corporation (PMC) has appealed pet owners in the city to take a licence for their pet soon or face stringent action. Despite the significant population of pets in the city, only 1,374 pet owners have registered them with the municipal corporation, data released by PMC has revealed .
Vaishali Jadhav, PMC’s health department head, said, “It is compulsory to register your pet dogs, cats, and other animals with PMC every year, but residents are reluctant to do this. Now, instructions have been given to PMC officers to take action against residents who are not registering their pets.”
She also said that PMC is drafting a policy for owning pet animals after considering various complaints against pet owners. “Many residents have registered complaints against their neighbours and their pets, especially in housing societies. PMC is planning to come up with a law or policy that will limit the number of pet animals one can keep in a flat or bungalow. Some residents are allegedly ‘storing’ a large number of pet animals in small flats, causing nuisance to others,” added Jadhav.
Jadhav said that the policy will be submitted to the general body for approval, once it is finalised. While preparing the health and sanitation by laws, PMC will also make a provision for dog poop. Pet owners will need to handle dog poop like western countries. PMC has also included fines for irresponsible disposal of dog poop in the health and sanitation by laws, she added.
{{/usCountry}}Jadhav said that the policy will be submitted to the general body for approval, once it is finalised. While preparing the health and sanitation by laws, PMC will also make a provision for dog poop. Pet owners will need to handle dog poop like western countries. PMC has also included fines for irresponsible disposal of dog poop in the health and sanitation by laws, she added.
{{/usCountry}}Sandip Kelkar, a resident, said that many pet owners take their pet dogs on a walk every morning just to ensure that they poop outside their home. “Almost all footpaths are littered with dog poop every morning. If residents love their dogs, they should learn to clean the poop and keep the city clean,” said Kelkar.
Documents required for pet animal registration
-Three passport size photographs of the pet animal
-Anti-rabies certificate from a registered veterinary practitioner
-Address proof
- Registration charges of Rs 500 will be accepted in advance (Rs 50 per year for a period of 10 years). However, it is necessary to re-register the pet every year at the ward office
- Residents can register their pets at all 15 ward offices or the civic body’s main building (health department).