Poor adherence to pet ownership norms raises public safety concerns

Despite a sharp rise in the street dog population and dog bite incidents, there has been little headway in the stringent enforcement of pet licensing and vaccination norms. Animal welfare activists and rescuers say weak implementation and unchecked pet abandonment continue to worsen public safety and animal health concerns in both urban and rural areas.

A large number of pet parents, including those with aggressive or large breeds, are yet to complete mandatory registration formalities or follow prescribed vaccination schedules. While rules mandating pet registration and microchipping are in place, enforcement remains erratic, with adherence largely limited to owners of rare breeds, activists point out.

Local administrators in urban and rural areas have been criticised for failing to act decisively against pet abandonment. Rescuers say abandoned pets make up a significant portion of the street dog population. Without written petitions or surveillance mechanisms, such incidents continue unchecked across much of the district, they claim.

Veterinary doctors say the situation is further complicated by the poor health of abandoned dogs, many of which suffer from infections and skin diseases that pose risks to animals and humans alike. With no proper rehabilitation or treatment facilities for such dogs, this is directly contributing to a rise in dog-bite incidents, they add.

Animal welfare activists argue that strict enforcement of microchipping and registration rules can deter pet abandonment. With microchips, authorities can trace abandoned animals to their owners and initiate legal action. “A simple survey to identify the number of pet dogs fitted with microchips can reveal the situation on the ground. Those reluctant to comply should be held accountable through stringent enforcement,” says P. Vijith, a rescuer involved in rehabilitating abandoned dogs.

K. Sangeeth, another rescuer, also stresses the need for a comprehensive rehabilitation mechanism. He points out that abandoned dogs suffering from infectious diseases are a critical issue that is being ignored. “Stronger measures are needed to prevent the dumping of newborn puppies in isolated areas, which adds significantly to the street dog problem,” he says.

A former Veterinary department official notes that most local bodies lack a systematic approach to animal welfare. “Only local bodies led by representatives familiar with pet issues have taken a few commendable steps. Elsewhere, the response remains inadequate,” he remarks.

Meanwhile, officials of the Local Self Government Department confirm that recent court verdicts and judicial observations on the street dog menace have been properly communicated to local body heads. They say stricter measures will be implemented soon, as district-level meetings are being organised to formulate action plans and ensure proper adherence with pet licensing and vaccination norms.