Most Lucknow Dog Owners Unaware of New Walking Rules

Lucknow: The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has found that a large number of pet owners in the city are unaware of the official dog-walking rules meant to ensure safety, hygiene, and responsible pet ownership. A recent report by Times of India revealed that only a small fraction of residents follows the prescribed norms related to leashing, registration, and waste management. 

According to civic officials, these rules are not new but part of existing municipal by-laws and animal welfare regulations. The lack of public awareness, however, has led to widespread violations across parks and residential areas in Lucknow. 

Under the LMC guidelines, pet parents must follow the following dog-walking regulations: 

• Dogs must be walked on a leash which should not exceed six feet in length. 
• Aggressive breeds must wear a muzzle in public areas. 
• Owners must carry a waste bag and clean up after their pets.
• All pets must be registered with the LMC and have updated vaccination records. 
• Dog walking is prohibited in children’s parks, temple grounds, and other restricted areas. 
• A responsible adult, not a child, should walk the pet. 
• Walks should be done during permitted hours as notified by the civic body. 

Violations of these norms may invite fines under the municipal laws, officials said. But on the other hand, several residents are still unaware of these detailed rules as per the report. A Pomeranian owner said, “I’ve been walking my dog for years but never knew about leash limits or carrying waste bags. If LMC wants compliance, they should raise awareness first.” Another resident added, “There’s little communication about these rules. If they were displayed in parks or announced online, more people would follow them.” 

An officer from LMC’s Animal Welfare, Dr. Abhinav Verma, stated that the corporation is stepping up awareness and enforcement drives. “We are conducting regular checks to ensure pet owners follow leash, registration, and waste disposal norms. Awareness drives are equally important to improve compliance,” he said. 

Experts say these measures are essential for public safety, cleanliness, and animal welfare. Veterinarian Dr. S. A. Khan explained, “Even friendly dogs can react unpredictably in crowded areas. Following leash and waste rules keeps both pets and people safe.” 

While enforcement has begun, the LMC admits that awareness is still low. Plans are underway to install signboards in parks, conduct social media campaigns, and simplify the online registration process to help pet owners understand and follow the rules. 

As the number of pet dogs in Lucknow continues to rise, authorities hope that stricter enforcement paired with better awareness will make the city’s public spaces cleaner, safer, and more pet-friendly.