Chandigarh Tightens Leash: New Dog Bye-Laws for 2025

The Chandigarh Administration has officially announced the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh Pet and Community Dog Bye-Laws, effective from 2025, aimed at enforcing strict control on pet ownership and community dog management in the city. This comprehensive legislation mandates that all dogs over four months must be registered with the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh (MCC), involving a fee structure of Rs 500 for an initial five-year period, followed by a Rs 50 renewal fee.

In a calculated move to ensure public safety, the bye-laws impose a limit on the number of dogs per household based on property size. It restricts larger properties to a maximum of four dogs, while smaller dwellings must adhere to lower pet counts. For instance, homes up to 5 marlas are capped at one dog. Additionally, the regulations ban seven breeds deemed aggressive, such as the American Pitbull and Rottweiler, necessitating registration and constant muzzling in public spaces to prevent mishaps.

Furthermore, the city has standardized specific protocols for pet owners, forbidding dog entry into popular spots like Sukhna Lake and Rose Garden. The initiative also extends to professionals in the pet industry, mandating registration for breeders and trainers, while granting authorities inspection powers to ensure compliance. These measures reflect an alignment with India's 'Five Freedoms for Animals', prioritizing animal welfare alongside public safety concerns.