Chandigarh, 19 August — More than two months after the Municipal Corporation (MC) approved the final draft of the Pet and Community Dogs Bylaws, 2025, enforcement remains stalled as the UT administration has yet to issue the required notification. The delay has left the provisions on paper only, despite growing concerns over dog bites, public safety and hygiene in the city.
The bylaws, first introduced in October 2023, were designed to replace the outdated 2010 regulations and strengthen the civic body’s authority over pet registration, owner responsibilities and management of community dogs. Officials said that once notified, penalties for violations would increase by nearly 200 times and pet owners would be held directly liable for injuries caused by dog bites or property damage.
“The agenda was first approved in March 2024, after which the draft was placed in the public domain for suggestions. Following revisions, the final version was passed in June 2025,” MC officials explained. “The documentation already took more than a year, and now the implementation is hanging fire. Meanwhile, cases of dog bites continue to rise, and residents feeding community dogs in public areas remain unchecked.”
Cleanliness issues have also been cited. MC officials said many owners neglect to clean up after their pets, with dog poop in public spaces becoming a frequent complaint. The bylaws mandate that owners carry poop bags and immediately dispose of waste, with fines prescribed for violations.
Under the new rules, pets will be barred from high-footfall green spaces such as Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, Rose Garden and Leisure Valley. However, neighborhood parks will remain accessible, provided strict conditions are followed.
The bylaws also impose a complete ban on seven dog breeds deemed ferocious: American Bulldog, American Pitbull or Pitbull Terrier, Bull Terrier, Pakistan Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino and Rottweiler. Residents already owning these breeds will be given 45 days to register them once the bylaws take effect; failing to comply could lead to penalties and even impoundment.
To ensure safety, all dogs must be leashed in public, while aggressive breeds must be muzzled. Escorts of such dogs will also be required to carry a stick. In cases of serious aggression or damage, seizure of the dog and further penalties may follow.
The bylaws further prohibit disposal of deceased pets in garbage bins, requiring cremation or private burial instead. Commercial breeding and trading of dogs within city limits will also be banned.
Ownership limits have been set based on property size. Houses under 5 marla will be permitted one dog, while up to three may be allowed in multi-family units. In 5 to 12 marla houses, two dogs will be allowed, extendable to three if multiple families reside there. Houses measuring 12 marla to one kanal may keep three dogs, one of which must be an adopted Indie breed, extendable to five in multi-family dwellings. For properties above one kanal, four dogs will be permitted, two of them adopted, with a maximum of six if more than one family occupies the home.
Any unregistered dogs exceeding these limits will be impounded, and owners fined.
For community dogs, resident welfare associations (RWAs) will be required to designate feeding zones, with violations treated as cognisable offences. Fines of up to ₹10,000, seizure, and even sale of unclaimed dogs have been proposed.
Until the UT administration issues a notification, however, these measures remain unenforced. Critics say the lack of urgency has allowed both dog bite cases and civic disputes over pets to grow unchecked.
