BENGALURU: In a major relief to pet dog owners in Bengaluru, the state government on Thursday withdrew its controversial notification on BBMP (pet dog licensing) by-laws, 2018 with immediate effect. This came after Karnataka High Court took up public interest petitions challenging the bye-laws governing pet dogs in Bengaluru. The controversial notification, dated February 28, was issued by the Urban Development Department under Section 423 (21 and 22) of the Karnataka Municipal Act, 1976, superseding the earlier notification of January 27, 1954 by-law issued to govern pet dog ownership in city.
Indira Gopal Krishna, a teacher and an animal lover, who lives in a flat at Sadananda Nagar, NGEF-East, and has two dogs, moved the High Court by filing PIL against the latest notification. Four NGOs, led by Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) also moved the court against the disputed by-laws.
Hearing the petitions on Wednesday, a division bench of Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice Krishna S Dixit had asked the state government to clear its stand on Thursday as the matter involved emotional overbearing and legal issues. The government on Thursday furnished a notification dated June 21, issued by H N Prabhakar, Under-Secretary, Urban Development Department (BBMP), withdrawing the by-laws. Terming the government’s decision as fair, the court observed that the petitioners could give constructive suggestions to the BBMP for framing new by-laws.
Palike should look into illegal breeding of pet dogs: CUPA
Animal rescue centre Compassion Unlimited Plus Animals (CUPA), the main petitioner in the case against the BBMP’s new pet dog licensing rules, on Thursday said the civic authorities have been directed to take into consideration the representations made by CUPA and the other petitioners before framing such by-laws.
“Since CUPA has been conducting ABC programs for the past two decades in Bengaluru and have been actively involved in animal welfare in the city, we are pleased that the judiciary has recognised the same in passing its judgment today. We are very grateful for all the campaigns and support extended by all pet owners in Bengaluru and hope to see that the BBMP addresses bigger issues such as illegal breeding, compulsory vaccination and sterilisation of pet dogs in the city,”CUPA has said.CUPA was supported by co-petitioners Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC), People for Animals, Jayasimha and Indira Gopal Krishna.
ISSUES RAISED BY THE PETITIONERS BEFORE HC:
Notification issued without any application of mind
It was issued ignoring the guidelines by the Animal Welfare Board of India in 2015
Views of animal activists were not considered
Fixing ceiling on the number of dogs is frivolous and against constitution
It is against the Prevention of the Cruelty Animals Act, 1960
List of breeds approved for residential flats are mechanically copied from a list meant for another country
BBMP was making an attempt to promote certain breeds of dogs to benefit illegal breeders