MCC Issues Mandatory Vaccination, Leashing and Pet Care Guidelines for Pet Dogs

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MNC) has announced a set of guidelines for pet dog owners living within its jurisdiction. The guidelines make compliance with vaccination, hygiene, animal welfare, and registration requirements mandatory, and penalise violations of the same.

These guidelines have been issued in accordance with Supreme Court orders, Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, Animal Welfare Board of India guidelines, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules, 2017, and the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act.

All pet dogs must be vaccinated against rabies. Other vaccinations must be administered as prescribed by a veterinarian, and annual booster doses must be administered. Owners must have valid vaccination certificates ready during inspections by MCC officials.

Owners are responsible for feeding their dogs nutritious food, providing clean drinking water, safe shelter, and veterinary care. Pet dogs must be on a leash in pubic and cannot be allowed to roam freely in public spaces. If a dog defecates in public, the owner must clean up after it immediately, failing which an on-the-spot fine of INR 1,000 to INR 5,000 will be imposed under the MCC’s solid waste management bylaws.

All pet dogs, regardless of sex, must be sterilised by an authorised veterinarian, unless they are being used for breeding by a legally registered breeder. People or organisations breeding dogs or selling puppies must obtain a registration certificate from the Karnataka State Animal Welfare Board, under the Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules. The MCC itself will not issue a trade licence without the required registration criteria being fulfilled. Unsold puppies must be rehabilitated through recognised animal welfare organisations, the MCC stated.