No more abandoning pets on road; Government mulls law amendment

ALAPPUZHA: The days of people casually abandoning their pets on the road are over. The government is planning to include a section on responsible ownership in the Panchayat Raj - Municipality Act. The Local Self-Government Department and the State Animal Welfare Board started the process of making necessary amendments to the law in this regard. Pets, including dogs, are abandoned on the road due to lack of food, disobedience, diseases and infirmity.

The first step is to make a license mandatory for raising animals and birds. Although there is a license requirement for raising dogs, no one bothers to get it from local authorities and present the required documents, including a veterinarian's certificate.

A few years ago, steps were taken, including in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, to place a chip on dogs and secure licenses, but the project flopped. The Supreme Court had directed the states to take strict measures to control the number of stray dogs. The amendment to the law is being prepared keeping that in mind.

1. Sections 325 and 291 of the Indian Penal Code are related to animal welfare. Section 325 allows a Judicial First Class Magistrate to punish anyone who kills or mutilates animals.

2. Section 291 allows a fine of Rs 5,000 to be imposed on the owner of a pet or bird that escapes and attacks passersby. In case of a repeat offence, a fine of up to 6 months in prison, in addition to the fine.

3. The main obstacle to implementing the law is the inability to find those who abandon animals. With the licensing, the owner can be easily identified. With the inclusion of the new section, they can also be punished.