Residents of Guwahati who frequently take their dogs for walks and allow them to defecate on the streets will be fined heavily.
Dr Pradip Medhi, Veterinary Officer of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), stated that dog owners would be fined and their dogs would be seized under the new sub-section added to the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2021.
Dr. Medhi stated that the civic body has received numerous complaints from residents in this regard.
According to the Act, littering by pet animals is prohibited under Section 301 subsection (6) of the Act within the Guwahati municipality area.
“It has been noticed in many areas of the city that dog owners neglect their responsibility by leaving public parks and morning walk routes littered with unhygienic faeces. Action will be taken under the Section which empowers the GMC to impose a fine. The GMC will penalise the owners between. Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 and the dogs will also be confiscated by the civic body,” Dr Medhi said.
If the civic body receives a complaint, it has also been given the authority to seize a dog from its owner’s home.
“Owners will have to carry bags while taking their dogs out for a walk. If their pets poop in public places like roads, footpaths, gardens etc., it will be their duty to pick up the poop immediately and dispose of it accordingly,” Dr Medhi added.
According to The Assam Tribune, the GMC will also form a monitoring team to keep an eye out for such violations.
