Dehradun: Dog attack cases are continuously increasing in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand. In view of this, Municipal Corporation (Municipal Council) Dehradun has implemented new strict bylaws regarding pet and stray dogs. These rules have been made in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court, which are aimed at ensuring the safety of citizens in the city and promoting responsible behavior towards dogs.
Under the new rules, it will now be mandatory to obtain a license from the Municipal Corporation for keeping a dog in Dehradun. Registration of every pet dog aged three months or more has been made mandatory, which will be valid for one year. Legal action will be taken against keeping a dog without registration. If the validity of anti-rabies vaccination expires during the license period, the license will automatically stand cancelled.
Dehradun Municipal Corporation has taken special strictness regarding ferocious and aggressive breeds. An annual license fee of Rs 2000 has been fixed for Pitbull, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog and other highly aggressive breeds. For rearing such dogs, it has been made mandatory to have a house with a minimum area of 300 square yards.
Apart from this, sterilization of these dogs will be mandatory after completion of one year of age and its certificate will have to be submitted to the Municipal Corporation. A complete ban has been imposed on breeding of these breeds. Owners of existing dogs will have to submit purchase and sterilization certificates within three months.
According to the new bylaw, it will be prohibited to carry pet dogs in public places without a leash, muzzle and monitoring. Penal action will be taken against open defecation. In case of dog bite, fine will be imposed according to the severity of the injury, whereas in serious cases, an FIR can be registered against the dog owner and the dog can be confiscated. Provision for notice and challan has also been made on complaints of excessive barking.
Private dog and animal shelter has been made mandatory for those keeping five or more dogs. For this, permission of Uttarakhand Animal Welfare Board, information to Municipal Corporation and annual license fee of Rs 1000 will be required. If the shelter is near a residential area, no objection certificate from the neighbors will also be required.
The Municipal Corporation will set up designated feeding points for stray dogs in colonies and resident welfare societies. Action will be taken against feeding dogs at entry-exit points of schools, religious places, crowded areas and colonies. The Municipal Corporation will soon run an awareness campaign for effective implementation of these rules.