LMC to start checking for pet licences soon

THE LICENCE FEE FOR FOREIGN BREEDS LIKE LABRADOR, ROTTWEILER, ALSATIAN AND GERMAN SHEPHERD IS ₹500 PER YEAR

LUCKNOW : Soon, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation would start checking licences for pets in the city. As per LMC officials, there are more than 20,000 pets across the state capital but only about 3,500 people have taken licences from the civic body. The LMC is collecting information from different areas about pets in houses and soon a survey would be done.

Director, animal welfare, LMC Dr Arvind Rao said, “Those who want to escape LMC action should register their pets with the municipal corporation. Otherwise, the LMC will start seizing pets kept without a municipal licence. Besides that, such residents would also have to dole out a heavy fine of ₹5,000.”

“The action is aimed at keeping residents safe and the surroundings clean. Many pet owners don’t immunize their dogs. Hence in case of dog bite, there are chances of people contracting rabies. Many people keep dogs in congested places, which is not good for pets,” said Dr Rao.

The LMC expects dog owners to immunize their dogs and maintain proper vaccination cards. Licence is given only to those who have proper space for movement of pets and who maintain hygienic conditions.

The owners were also expected to clean the filth spread by pets around the neighbourhood. If they don’t do so, their licence could be cancelled, he said. The licence fee for foreign breeds (heavy dogs) like Labrador, Rottweiler, Alsatian and German Shepherd is ₹500 per year while for foreign breeds (small dogs), it is ₹300 per year and for local Indian breeds it is ₹200.