Amid a surge in complaints involving stray and pet dogs, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is tightening the screws on pet owners who have failed to register their animals.
Civic officials said the corporation has begun drafting a standard operating procedure (SOP) aimed at enforcing mandatory pet dog registration across the city.
According to media reports, under the proposed framework, owners found keeping unregistered pet dogs could face steep penalties. The draft SOP talks about a fine of Rs. 20,000 for the first violation, which could rise to Rs. 50,000 in case of repeat offences. The civic body is also considering filing police complaints against owners who ignore registration norms and other related regulations.
Once finalised, the SOP will be placed before the AMC Standing Committee for approval, reports said.
Officials said the move is intended to bring accountability among pet owners and address public safety concerns linked to unregulated pets.
The corporation estimates that Ahmedabad is home to nearly 50,000 pet dogs. Pet registration was made compulsory from January 25 this year, with the fee revised upward to Rs. 2,000 per dog. Despite this, only a little over 19,000 dogs have been registered so far, prompting the civic body to step up enforcement.
At a weekly review meeting chaired by the Municipal Commissioner on Wednesday, officials were directed to complete the SOP without delay. During the same meeting, the Commissioner also assessed the status of ongoing road projects across different zones and instructed contractors to speed up work on projects that have lagged behind despite formal work orders.
Separately, officials recalled that during a recent visit to the Acher area in response to complaints about stray cattle, the Municipal Commissioner had asked the zonal Deputy Municipal Commissioner to ensure strict action so that no stray animals were visible in the locality within a week.
Also Read: AMC Mulls Crackdown On Pet Owners After Rottweiler Kills Baby; Utility Cuts, Fines Under Consideration https://www.vibesofindia.com/amc-mulls-crackdown-on-pet-owners-after-rottweiler-kills-baby-utility-cuts-fines-under-consideration/
