PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) has warned that pet owners must not leave their dogs loose in public places, must keep them leashed and muzzled while taking them outside and must not allow them to defecate in open areas. The corporation has stated that those who do not follow these rules will face fines.
MCD has also launched an awareness campaign to ensure dog owners register their pets with the corporation. According to senior municipal veterinary officer Dr Varun Aggarwal, 600 banners have been installed across all 100 wards, while small banners are being pasted in institutions and wards by the animal section team. Pamphlets are being distributed through local newspapers and loudspeaker announcements are being made to spread the message, he said.
Aggarwal said that registration will help maintain a complete database of pet dogs in the municipal area. He added that widespread registration will make it easier to regulate and manage pet ownership in the city. He informed that the corporation has also used door-to-door garbage collection vehicles to play jingles that urge residents to register their pet dogs with the corporation.
Aggarwal said that the campaign aims to increase compliance with licensing rules and reduce violations. However, the corporation will start imposing heavy fines if pet owners fail to comply with rules, he added. Besides this, the corporation will soon announce new feeding points to ensure dogs are fed only at dedicated feeding shelters across the city to regulate feeding practices at random public places and reduce the inconvenience caused to locals.
