2 mnths on, UT yet to unleash dog bylaws
Chandigarh, Aug. 19 -- It has been over two months since the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) approved the final draft of the Pet and Community Dogs Bylaws, 2025. But their enforcement remains muzzled amid UT administration's delay in issuing a notification.
The bylaws, first introduced in the MC House in October 2023, were aimed at replacing the outdated 2010 regulations to give the civic body more teeth in tackling issues of pet registration, owner responsibility and management of community dogs.
However, despite the House's approval, the delay in notification means the provisions remain only on paper.
Once the bylaws are implemented, the penalty for violations is expected to rise by as much as 200 times.
They also place direct responsibility on pet owners for any injuries caused by dog bites or damage to property.
"The agenda was first approved in the general House of MC in March 2024. After that, UT had made the draft public and had invited suggestions from the general public before notifying the laws. After collecting the suggestions and changing the clauses as per need, the draft was finally approved by MC House in June this year. The documentation already took more than a year and now the implementation is hanging fire," said MC officials, further cautioning that cases of dog bites were also increasing as residents continue to feed community dogs in public areas.
"Besides, owners are not cleaning up pet poop, leading to cleanliness issues in public spaces. The bylaws should be notified soon to enforce stricter penalties," they added.
The rules seek to regulate the presence of pet dogs in the city's public spaces. Pets will be barred from high-footfall green areas such as Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, Rose Garden and Leisure Valley.
However, neighbourhood parks will continue to remain open to them, subject to strict conditions. Owners will be required to carry poop bags and ensure immediate clean-up, with defecation in public areas expressly prohibited. Owners must either guide their dogs to isolated spots or clean up after them, failing which they could face penalties.
In a move to prevent public health hazards, owners will no longer be allowed to dispose of deceased pets in garbage bins. Cremation or private burial will be mandatory. The draft also proposes a complete ban on commercial breeding or trading of dogs within city limits.
For community dogs, the bylaws require resident welfare associations (RWAs) to designate feeding zones and violation of these zones is deemed cognisable under law.
Violation will also invite fines up to Rs.10,000, seizure and sale of the unclaimed dogs....
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