Only 247 dogs have received registration in Kolkata city! Yes, this is the reality. Although registration is mandatory for keeping dogs at home, most city residents do not follow the rules, such alarming information has emerged in recent statistics.
As a result, on one hand, a significant revenue deficit is being created, while on the other hand, various administrative complications are increasing due to rule violations. Kolkata Municipal Corporation's Deputy Mayor and Mayor-in-Council for Health Department Atin Ghosh says, “According to law, registration is mandatory for keeping dogs. However, most residents do not comply with this. But this time, strict measures will be taken if rules are broken.”
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However, residents' counter-argument is that it is the municipality's responsibility to inform everyone that pet registration is mandatory. That doesn't happen. So the responsibility lies with the administration. According to municipal sources, the Animal Resources Development and Improvement Department and the municipality are facing difficulties due to the increasing tendency of illegally keeping dogs in the metropolis. Problems are increasing as vaccination, health check-ups, and registration of dogs are not being properly documented.
This is because when legal action needs to be taken based on neighbors' complaints about pets, police are struggling to identify the owners. In this situation, the municipality is launching a major publicity campaign regarding the licensing process.
Recently, officials from the Animal Resources Development and Improvement Department, the municipality's health department, and Kolkata Police held a meeting. A special committee has been formed there. This committee will conduct surveillance in various wards of the city and increase awareness about keeping pets according to rules. Ward-based camps will be organized throughout the city. Pet owners will be able to easily obtain licenses there. Vaccination and care advice will be provided. Currently, the annual license fee is 150 rupees. Along with registration at the municipal headquarters, there is also an online system available.
Section 521 of the 1980 Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act clearly states that registration of every pet dog (those kept at home) in the city is mandatory. Municipal sources have revealed that this time, if someone goes out on the streets with an unregistered pet dog, it will be taken away and kept at designated municipal centers. After that, a week's time will be given. If no one claims guardianship within that period, the dog will be declared 'orphan' according to law. There are laws to file cases under two sections for unregistered pet dogs. First, if that dog bites someone, a case will be filed. Second, there are provisions to file complaints at police stations under another section for not having a license. If a pet is lost, the owner must immediately report the complaint to the concerned police station. But without identification documents, the complaint will not be registered.
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One municipal official claims that the goal of this strictness is to ensure the safety of pet dogs and increase owners' sense of responsibility. Multiple complaints of lost pets are arising daily in the city. But due to lack of identification documents, the rescue process is becoming complicated in many cases, according to police sources.
Sumana Chowdhury has been fighting for dogs' rights for a long time. She says, “If the identification document requirement is strengthened, various dog-related problems in the city will be largely controlled. However, the municipality needs to be more responsible in the treatment and rehabilitation of dogs that have no ownership.”
