The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has decided to take action against owners of unregistered pet dogs amid a rise in complaints related to stray and pet dogs, officials said.
The civic body is drafting a standard operating procedure (SOP) to penalise owners who fail to register their pets. The proposed penalties include a fine of ₹20,000 for the first offence and ₹50,000 for repeat violations.
The SOP will be placed before the AMC Standing Committee for approval. Officials said police complaints may also be filed against dog owners who do not comply with rules, including mandatory registration and other regulatory requirements.
According to estimates, around 50,000 pet dogs are owned across the city. Pet dog registration was made mandatory from January 25, with the registration fee increased to ₹2,000 per dog. So far, over 19,000 pet dogs have been registered.
During a weekly review meeting chaired by the Municipal Commissioner on Wednesday, officials were directed to finalise the SOP at the earliest. The Commissioner also reviewed the progress of road works across the city and instructed contractors to speed up projects that are lagging despite work orders being issued.
Officials added that during an earlier visit to the Acher area over complaints of stray cattle, the Municipal Commissioner had directed zonal officers to take strict action to ensure no stray animals were seen in the area within a week.