Banning pets in societies

With increasing number of complaints of ill-treating street and pet dogs, Animal Welfare Board of India is rethinking about various proper legal aspects of pet ownership. The statutory body under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India is the first of its kind to be established by any Government in the world.

It was set up in 1962 in accordance with Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 (No.59 of 1960). Its major role is to keep the Act under constant study and from time to time advise the government on the amendments to be undertaken in the law. The board is also responsible for advising the Government on any matter related to animal welfare or the prevention of infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.

Shopsandhomes reports that Animal Welfare Board of India has come up with an updated Circular dated 20th February 2014, that clearly mentions what is lawful and unlawful when it comes to the treatment of street dogs and pet dogs, by anybody – be it residents, Resident Welfare Associations (RWA), Apartment Owners Associations, Cooperative Group Housing Societies etc.

This circular is a savior for pet owners since the Board receives several complaints from pet dog owners and street dog caretakers about the RWAs. They either put restrictions on pet owners for having pets, use of elevators by pets or troubling street dog caretakers and trying to harm street dogs. As per the Board, none of the housing society has any right to form laws related to pets; nobody can even ask pet-owners to keep their animals on a leash or apply any kind of extra charges on them.

However, not everyone is happy with the law. Other residents are reporting problems due to pets in the society. The Board has been getting a lot of inquiries from housing societies about any kind of authority to frame laws against pet animals. In the past, courts have ruled in favor of pet owners.

So, now next time if you, being a pet owner or a street animal caretaker, come across an unruly RWA with the intentions of harassing you or the animals you care for, you know what to do, right? Don’t give up and defend your case and educate your RWA representatives about this new circular.