JMC issues advisory for pet dog owners, directs mandatory registration

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has issued an advisory for all pet dog owners residing within its municipal limits regarding the mandatory registration of pet dogs in accordance with the provisions of the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2023 and the Municipal Corporation Act, 2000.
The directions were issued by Dr. Devansh Yadav, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, who emphasized the need for responsible pet ownership and strict compliance with the rules to ensure public safety, proper management of the canine population and improved public health standards in the city.
All pet dog owners/keepers are required to register their pet dogs through the online portal jansugam.jk.gov.in. For any queries related to registration, pet owners may contact the AWO Section of JMC at 8716946717 / 9858022175 or email [email protected].
While issuing the advisory, Dr. Gaurav Chaudhary, Animal Welfare Officer, Jammu Municipal Corporation and Dr. Divya Sharma VAS Jammu Municipal Corporation stated that registration of pet dogs is essential to maintain proper records, ensure timely vaccination and promote responsible pet ownership. They appealed to all pet dog owners to comply with the guidelines and cooperate with the Municipal Corporation in maintaining sanitation and public safety. As per the advisory, pet dogs must not be allowed to roam freely in public streets or public places. Dogs should always be taken out on a leash or chain and ferocious breeds must be properly muzzled while being taken outside.
Pet owners must ensure adequate space, accommodation, food and medical treatment for their pets. Officials of the registering authority may inspect the dog premises at reasonable times to verify the health status and registration documents. A valid Anti-Rabies Vaccination Certificate is mandatory for registration. In case a vaccinated dog is bitten by a rabies-suspected dog, the owner must ensure proper post-bite vaccination and inform the Veterinary Services Wing of JMC, failing which the registration may be cancelled. Pet owners must ensure that their dogs do not contribute to the growth of the canine population and must get their pets sterilized (neutered/spayed). Owners are also responsible for deworming, immunization and sterilization of their dogs. In case of change of ownership, fresh registration is required. The owner shall be responsible for all the actions of the dog, including any public nuisance or harm caused to anyone. Pet owners must ensure that their dogs do not defecate in residential areas, parks, streets, or other public places and they must arrange to remove the excreta immediately.
Owners are advised to avoid keeping aggressive breeds such as Pitbull, Rottweiler, American Pitbull, etc. without proper training and handling. The advisory also directs all pet dog owners residing within JMC limits to complete registration within one month from the date of publication of the advisory, failing which legal action including confiscation of the pet dog and imposition of fines or challans up to Rs. 5000 may be initiated by JMC authorities.
The Jammu Municipal Corporation has further informed that free Anti-Rabies vaccination will be provided to all registered pet dogs at various animal centres of JMC.