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Housing Society faces flak for laying obnoxious rules for pet owners

However, the circular stands void and the implications of it cannot be levied on any pet owner as according to the Animal Welfare Board Of India (AWBI), no housing society can frame bye-laws that are not in accordance with the law of the land.

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In a blanket notice to all pet owners, a housing society in Dahisar — Panchamrut CHS Ltd — has laid down rules for pet owners and has also imposed a fine amount of Rs500 in case the pet's poop is not cleaned by the owner.

However, the circular stands void and the implications of it cannot be levied on any pet owner as according to the Animal Welfare Board Of India (AWBI), no housing society can frame bye-laws that are not in accordance with the law of the land.

The circular was shared with dna by one of the pet-owners who received it. It has been observed by many animal rights activists that instances where a housing society lays down such obnoxious rules upon pet-parents has increased in recent times.

"No housing society has the right or the authority to frame any bye-laws for animals. Laws for all animals are in the concurrent list and thus are under the central law. Hence, it cannot be changed," said Aditi Lahiri, animal rights activist.

One of the rules laid down by the housing society is: "No residents shall keep or maintain any animals, which habitually barks, or cries so as to disturb the public peace."

According to the guidelines framed by AWBI, clause 2 reads, "Barking is a natural form of expression of a dog, and must and has to be tolerated in a society." However, the AWBI advises pet owners to make every effort to keep their dogs quiet, particularly during night hours.

Another rule as laid down by the housing society states: "Any owner not picking up the animal waste will be fined Rs500 per instance without any warning letter." This too clearly violates the directives of AWBI.

According to the AWBI, no fine can be levied on pet owners for not cleaning up the excreta of their pets and also mentions that no housing society can frame any such by-law that violated the law of the country. However, it advocated that Residents Welfare Associations (RWA) in coordination with pet owners shall decide upon designated pet corners for pooping purposes that can be collected and deposited and composted.

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