Residents of Chandigarh Violating the New Dog Bylaws Will Now Be Fined 200 Times More

Chandigarh: Residents of Chandigarh who are found to be flouting the pet and community dog bylaws will soon be charged 200x the current fines. 

Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria approved a draft of ‘The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh Pet and Community Dogs Bylaws, 2023', which will replace the existing ‘The Chandigarh Registration of Pet Dogs Bylaws, 2010' in place. Members of the public in Chandigarh have been given a month to offer feedback and voice their objections to the bylaws. 

As per the new bylaws, violating the bylaws can be punished by the registration authority with a fine ranging from INR 200 to INR 10,000. Currently, the maximum fine goes up to INR 500. Fines for recurring offenses will be added up, and an additional fine of INR 200 per day will be added for a maxmum of 10 days. The current fine for the same is INR 20 per day for up to ten days. 

If the violation continues beyond 10 days, the registration will be cancelled by the registration authority and the seized dog(s) shall be put up for sale or adoption through volunteers or NGOs. In addition to the impounding of pet dogs who are in violation of the bylaws, penalties for specific clauses have also been stipulated, with violations now ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 10,000 per dog. 

The new bylaws also outline the definition of ‘pet breeders’ to avoid any confusion. As per the bylaws, ‘Pet Breeders' refer to person who keeps dogs for commercial purposes and conducts these practices within a commercial area. The activities of a "Pet Breeder" may include but are not limited to - the selective breeding of dogs, the sale or exchange of puppies, and related transactions for financial gain. The business of dog breeders will be allowed, but such business shall not be carried out in any area other than commercial sites. Registration of pet dog breeders will be mandatory. 

Along with the registration of pet dogs in the city by dog owners and dog breeders, the byelaws will also make it mandatory for the registration of volunteers, dog lovers, NGOs, pet shop keepers or owners, dog trainers, dog hostels, and dog groomers.