Dog Owners in Chandigarh Face New Municipal Bylaws

Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) has officially notified the “Municipal Corporation Chandigarh Pet and Community Dogs Bylaws, 2023” after more than two years of consultation, bringing significant changes for pet owners and community dog management in the city. These new regulations come into effect immediately, marking a shift in how both pet dogs and stray or community dogs are managed in the Union Territory.

Under the new bylaws:

• All pet-owners, dog breeders, trainers, pet shops, animal welfare NGOs and others dealing with dogs must register with the MC. A registration fee of INR. 500 per dog has been introduced, and renewal is required every five years. 
• A number of aggressive breeds, specifically the American Bulldog, American Pitbull, Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino and Rottweiler and their crossbreeds are now banned from being kept in the city, though dogs of these breeds already registered before the notification are exempt. 
• The bylaws cap how many dogs a household can have, based on the plot or house size. For example, a house up to five marla is allowed only one dog; a 10-marla house may have two dogs; a one-kanal house may keep four, subject to conditions. 
• The MC now requires local Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to designate feeding zones for community or stray dogs, away from children’s play areas, public gathering spots or popular walking routes. If the RWA fails to act, the MC will step in.
• Pet dogs are barred from key public recreational places such as Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, and Rock Garden, among others, in order to safeguard public safety and hygiene.
• Owners are held fully liable for any injury or damage caused by their pets. The MC can inspect premises, seize unregistered dogs, and if fines aren’t paid within seven days, the amount may be collected via tax bills or other statutory means. 

While earlier drafts had proposed fines as high as INR.10,000 per violation, the final version has capped penalties at INR. 500 each, due to legal constraints under the existing municipal legislation. 

The MC’s move is part of its broader effort to bring in greater accountability, public safety, and humane management of community dogs. The bylaws also align with a recent Supreme Court of India directive on stray dog management, including sterilisation under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, designated feeding points, and other measures. 

For pet owners in Chandigarh, this means a swift shift: registration, breed limitations, careful planning of dog numbers, and a strong emphasis on hygiene and shared public space responsibility. Non-compliance may lead not only to fines but also to seizure of the dog or cancellation of registration. The MC says citizens should register their pets promptly and follow the rules to avoid penalties and help maintain harmony between pets, residents and public spaces.