Bengaluru Plans Limit on Pet Dogs and Breeds

Bengaluru: The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) is working on a new set of rules that could change how pet dogs are owned and managed in the city. The draft policy aims to make dog ownership safer and clearer for residents, while addressing concerns about public safety and neighbourhood peace.

Under the latest draft guidelines, the GBA is considering:

• Limiting the number of pet dogs per household for independent houses, the proposal suggests a maximum of three dogs. Extra pets at the same address may potentially be taken and cared for by animal shelters.
• Breed restrictions in apartments and shared spaces certain larger or more aggressive breeds, such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Dobermanns, may be reviewed for possible limits in multi-dwelling buildings.
• A mandatory licensing system for all pet dogs, with licences that must be renewed every year.
• Microchipping at the owner’s cost for easier identification and tracking.
• Compulsory rabies vaccination and proof from registered vets.
• Mandatory sterilisation for dogs older than 12 months, unless medically exempt.
• Leash rules and public behaviour standards all dogs must be leashed during walks and owners must clean up after them.

City officials say the idea behind the draft policy is to strike a balance between responsible pet ownership, public safety, and animal welfare. Bengaluru has a large and growing number of pet dogs, officials estimate the city is home to well over a hundred thousand pet dogs, and there have been ongoing complaints about dog behaviour, noise, and bites.

The move also aligns with previous calls for clearer pet ownership guidelines. In 2024, the Karnataka High Court noted that responsible pet ownership standards are needed, after it quashed a central ban on certain “dangerous” dog breeds because stakeholders had not been consulted.

The draft framework is not yet a law or regulation. The GBA chief commissioner has asked five city commissioners to prepare detailed rules and look into feasibility. The city commissioners have been asked to submit their reports within about one week. After that, the GBA will finalise the policy and propose it to the Karnataka government for official notification and implementation.

If the policy is approved, every pet dog will need to comply. Owners may face fines if dogs are unlicensed or violate public behaviour rules. Unclaimed seized dogs could be handed over to animal welfare organisations if not reclaimed.

Animal welfare groups and pet owners have already started discussions about how the rules will affect people, particularly those with multiple pets or limited income. Some worry that strict fees or penalties might cause hardship or even lead to higher rates of abandonment.

There is no confirmed implementation date yet. The policy is still in the draft and consultation stage. Only after proposals are finalised, approved by the GBA, and notified by the state government will enforcement begin.