Chandigarh, June 4 -- Looking to tighten the leash on irresponsible pet ownership, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation on Tuesday approved the final draft of the Pet and Community Dogs Bylaws, 2025, during the House meeting.

The new rules will replace the decade-old 2010 bylaws. The final approval rests with the Chandigarh administration and once the bylaws are notified, fines for violations could shoot up by as much as 200 times.

The bylaws place clear liability on pet owners for bites or damage to property. They bar pet dogs from high-footfall public green spaces, such as Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, Rose Garden and Leisure Valley. However, regular parks will remain accessible to pets - provided owners carry poop bags and clean up after...