Mumbai Mirror
- Civic body proposes a 25-fold hike in pet dog licence fee next month
Mumbai, Jan 27: Dog lovers, be ready to shell out extra bucks to keep your pet. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has decided to increase its annual pet dog licence fee 25-fold, from the present Rs 200 to Rs 5,000 in about a month’s time. The proposal -- aimed at reducing the city’s dog nuisance as well as increasing BMC revenue -- is almost ready and is expected to be tabled in the corporation very soon.
The civic body had recently conducted an animal survey, and pegged the number of pet dogs in the city at 27,000. Jairaj Thanekar, BMC chief health executive, said the proposal will be passed within a month, after discussion with concerned civic officials. “The pet dog licence fee had not been increased in the last 10 years. It is quite common for people to take home stray dogs, and get the BMC licence just by paying Rs 200. This creates problems for their neighbours. Once the Rs 5,000 licence fee proposal is passed, it will also help us earn more revenue,” he explained.
Mayor Shubha Raul rued the fact that most pet-owners ‘do not care to clear dog poop’, which defaces city roads and footpaths. “The proposed high fee will allow only real dog-lovers, who can afford it, to own pets. There will be no dog nuisance. I will have a meeting with senior officials to pass the proposal,” she said.
But dog-lovers have not welcomed the move. Austin D’Souza, a resident of Bandra, said it would be wrong to increase the pet dog licence fee. “Pet dogs are meant to keep away strangers. If BMC hikes the licence fee, it will be difficult to own pet dogs. We will have a meeting of pet dog-owners and stage a protest to oppose the BMC decision,” he added.
Marine Drive resident Vikas Sharma said besides security, pet dogs are an antidote for loneliness, and often take a child’s place in the home. “If BMC increases the licence fee, the crime rate will go up in the city. Pet dogs are good companions for senior citizens, whose children live abroad. Even when they go for morning and evening walks, the pets are there to accompany them. Their lives will be disturbed,” he said.
“Owning a pet is in itself a costly affair. You spend at least Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 to feed a pet dog. I agree pet-owners should clean up the mess when their pets dirty the roads. Before effecting such a steep hike in the licence fee, the BMC should take feedback from citizens,” Sharma added.
Meanwhile, PETA activist Anuradha Sawhney has opposed the BMC decision, saying it will create grave problems in society. “Adopting dogs is not a crime. People are, in fact, giving shelter to these animals. The BMC needs to think twice before implementing this proposal,” she said.