CHENNAI : Owing to the low turnout for its online pet dog registration service, the Greater Chennai Corporation has now decided to deploy its workforce to the doorsteps of pet owners and raise awareness regarding registration for licenses.
The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board recently took action against a private dog shelter in Kancheepuram district and another one in Chennai following complaints of ill-treatment of the animals.
According to officials, most of the animals rescued from the shelters were abandoned pet dogs.
Experts in the field believe licensing can help track down the people who abandon their pet dogs. The corporation had initially been issuing licenses for pet dogs through its vet clinics.
Later, in June 2023, the civic body introduced an online registration system. The pet owners could register online, and fill out application forms and the license would be issued after verification at the zonal level. The zonal health officials would visit the houses for verification. The owners would also be sent periodical reminders for vaccination.
However, not many people availed themselves of this service. Sources said a total of 586 new pet dog licenses have been issued by the corporation since the online registration was introduced. Acknowledging the low turnout, the corporation officials have now planned ward-level and door-to-door outreach campaigns to promote pet dog registration.
The local body rules mandate the registration of pet dogs, but the laxity in enforcement made it ineffective. “The online registration for the license was not up to expected levels. We are planning to incorporate it into the ward-level programmes. Awareness placards and QR codes regarding this will be installed in public places. Sanitation workers will also be asked to create awareness about the online licensing in households that have dogs,” said a senior corporation official.
However, the pet owners have raised some technical issues with regard to the portal. “The portal makes it mandatory to upload anti-rabies vaccination certificate. So, it is not possible to apply online for a license if we haven’t vaccinated the dog,” said Latha G, a pet owner and a resident of Besant Nagar. Meanwhile, experts said the corporation should strictly enforce licensing.
“While the rules mandate compulsory registration of pet dogs, they also penalise non-registration. So, the corporation should start penalising owners who fail to register,” said Antony Rubin, an animal welfare activist.
The corporation is planning to roll out the outreach initiatives in the coming months. “We are still developing the online registration system based on feedback. Only license certificates are being issued now. In due course, a dog tag with license numbers will also be provided. It can help identify the owners of the dogs,” said J Kamal Hussain, a veterinary officer with the Chennai Corporation.