After an eight-year-old child in Bhubaneswar’s Tapaswini Colony was severely bit by a neighbourhood pet Akita dog earlier this month, there has been a strong push in the city to bring pet dogs under a licence system. In response, the Municipal Corporation announced that it would shortly establish a regulatory framework.
All responsible pet owners in India are currently required to register their animals with the neighbourhood civic organizations. A reasonable registration fee might be, for example, one hundred rupees annually. The dog owner must provide a picture of their pet, a copy of their pet’s anti-rabies certificate, and their name and address as proof.
The benefits of registering are numerous. The owner of a registered dog who bites someone can avoid punishment by producing the registration certificate. The certificate serves as proof that the dog has received its vaccinations. The victim can be persuaded that she does not require a rabies injection by the pet owner. The dog tag will be useful if the animal gets misplaced. In the event of a dispute, a registration certificate demonstrates ownership of the dog. A registered dog is qualified to compete in dog competitions. Since it is illegal to breed dogs that are not registered, a dog must be registered before it can be bred for financial gain.
It also helps to register with the Kennel Club of India (KCI). Getting registered with KCI is mostly done to take preventative measures against rabies and leptospirosis. A microchip-fitted collar and a registration certificate are provided by KCI. All of the animal’s information is stored on the microchips.
According to the legislation, no housing society may forbid pets or restrict them based on their breed or size. Dogs’ propensity to bark would not be a reason to outlaw it. The pet is allowed to access shared amenities like the park and elevator. Each and every citizen must have sympathy for animals. A plan must be in place that guarantees satisfactory communal living while not impeding it. In a housing society, there must be a carefully considered set of pet rules that are followed. It must be remembered that the housing society cannot establish guidelines forbidding canine harassment.
A housing society is free to set pet-keeping guidelines and enforce them to protect the welfare of both residents and animals. Pet policies should promote tranquil community living. There may be set hours during which pets are permitted access to gardens, parks, and grounds. In the event of a problem, the housing society’s management committee may request proof of immunisation and sterilization. On designating defecation spots, guidelines may be provided. Areas where pet owners can take their animals to relieve themselves can be designated by society. Pet owners can be advised and required by society to clean up after their dogs go potty. The community can mandate that a pet’s owner accompany it at all times when it is outside the home and on society property.
The public can encourage and compel dog owners to clean up after their pets. The community can mandate that a pet must be accompanied by its owner or a member of their family whenever it is outside the home and on society property.
The society could designate designated feeding areas that are not close to residential areas or children’s play areas for the convenience of residents who wish to provide strays with food. The society could work with animal welfare organisations to involve interested citizens in sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs. They could also make sure that after the dogs receive their vaccinations, they are released in the same area where they were originally found.
While prompt action is required to create an acceptable legal framework for city pet dogs, there is also an urgent need to protect Bhubaneswar’s residents from the city’s tens of thousands of street dogs. In this region, both the government and the municipal corporation have performed woefully poorly. The effort to sterilise has been sporadic and unsuccessful. Lack of resources and labour have allowed the dog population to grow unchecked, endangering human life. Rarely is a vaccination campaign held.
People have made their own decisions about how to avoid being attacked by street dogs. While many, like me, prefer to carry a stick, others advise using a dog whistle and dog repellent spray that are suited for the situation. Avoiding eye contact, standing sideways to the dog, letting the dog approach and sniff you without making sudden movements that might frighten the dog and provoke a bite, letting out a yawn, and licking your lips are some helpful safety precautions when dealing with an aggressive stray dog.
Prasanta Patnaik