Rethink needed: BBMP draft laws kick out big dogs from apartments

1 Pet Dog Per Flat, 3 Pet Dogs Per Independent House Only Specific breeds allowed in flats

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has released a set of draft guidelines for approval on the number of pets people are allowed to keep in the city.  Previously, the BBMP had drafted a bye-law for pet dogs licensing in 2013, but it was shot down by the Animal Welfare Board of India. It was resent for changes and now the BBMP has released its modified draft guidelines.  

These modified by laws regarding pet dogs released by the BBMP need to be taken with a pinch of salt.

What the draft policies propose:

• 1 Pet Dog Per Flat, 3 Pet Dogs Per Independent House:  The aim to reduce the number of dogs being kept in societies or flats.

• The pet dog should have a licence, collar with a badge and  be microchipped: The owner of every dog within the Municipal Limits needs to obtain a license and get it renewed it every year and get a microchip implanted at their own cost.

• It is compulsory for dog owners to clean up after their dog: It is the responsibility of the owner to scoop the poop of his pet be it any public place, park etc.

• Pet dogs that stray will be captured: Any pet dog without identification mark (microchip, badge, collar) found straying without its owner in public places or out at night alone shall be captured. They might even be killed if suspected to be rabid.

• Only Specific breeds allowed in flats: 15 aggressive dog breeds – Rottweiler, Pit Bull, Bull Terrier, German Shepherd, Doberman Pincher, Akita,  Boerboel, Fila Brasileiro, Nepolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Mastiffs and similar cross breeds that must be muzzled all times when in public places and large dogs like the above including St Bernards, Malmutes etc.. cannot be kept as pets in apartments.

There are also penalties for the violation of these bye-laws.

WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT THESE LAWS?

These proposed points if implemented would to a large extent lessen the abuse of large dogs  kept holed up in buildings or tall apartments. Many of these dogs like Great Danes, St Bernards etc suffer from neglect and because of the schedules of the owners are sometimes left in cramped quarters without any exercise. Dogs, when left alone also become anxious and often resort to incessant barking and howling at odd hours of the day and end up disturbing neighbours. So the limit on keeping large dogs will come as a relief for such people.

The law regarding scooping up your own pets poop is also much needed since it applies to keeping up the cleanliness of a locality, apartment or public place and owners should bear responsibility if their pets litter. Licensing and chipping is also a good method to track stolen or runaway pets.

WHAT’S AGAINST THE BBMP?

Dr Anand, Joint Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, BBMP has been quoted by The NewsMinute on the large dog policy. He said, “If the guidelines come into force and the dog owners want to keep their pets and not give them away, then they have no choice but to move to an independent house. If people have more than one dog, then they have to choose the one they love the most and give up the others if the guidelines come into force.”

If this is what the BBMP proposes then surely no dog lover will consent to this. Those who do live in apartments, also love dogs and most of them have kept more than three pet dogs because they love them, some even foster large dogs or adopt dogs because some other neglectful owner chose to abandon them. The BBMP should first consider increasing the number of dog shelters for such abandoned pets and then talk about giving up pets.

Before cracking down on pets in apartments, they should also crackdown on breeders and puppy mill owners. They are the ones who are pushing in dogs into the system, supplying such exotic breeds which are not suited to the Indian or Bengaluru city environment. Talking about moving to an independent house to save your pets is not feasible for many pet owners as independent houses go into crores. Not everybody can afford such luxury. The BBMP needs to clear up its logic before applying these rules.