Mumbai: Starting today, BMC to act against dog owners who don't scoop poop

We will clean our dog's poo, but who will take care of the stray dogs? And what about the garbage, filth on the footpaths? These are some of the doubts raised by pet owners across the city as BMC is going to start the drive from today against pet owners who are not ready to clean their dog's dirt on the public places.

There are many complaints from residents against dog's poo on the footpaths in areas like Marine drive, Girgaon, Malabar Hill, Fort and even from suburbs. Though there is a provision of fine Rs 500 each under Municipal Corporation Rules 2006 but many times it's become difficult to take action as many pets come for a round with their caretakers and not owners. But in May 2018, after several complaints, D Ward (Tardeo, Mahalaxmi, Nepean Sea Road) had started special drive about awareness and also levied fines against 16 caretakers / owners in 3 days. The Municipal Commissioner praised the move. Now the civic body wants to take this drive further and after starting awareness in the past week, they will start taking fines from Monday onwards.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner of D ward, Vishwas Mote said, "We have started the campaign again and as per the provision we will also impose fines. But considering last time action, people are also aware and responding well." Though pet owners backed the idea to clean the dirt of their pets they have raises several questions about the problems while implementing it. "I am with the BMC when it comes to hygiene. But the civic body is doing this without homework. I used to carry a plastic sheet with me to clean the place but there isn't any dustbin on our route. So I have to carry it to my home," said Steven Fernandes from Marine Lines. Titus D'souza has echoed the doubts, "My dog never dirties footpaths or roads. He always goes to the bushes or up to the end of the road. I cover his poop with mud. I don't know about the poop scooper but now I will check it out. But what about the stray dogs poo? The BMC sweepers never lift if or wash it, not even when they dried up. Who will take care of it?"

They raised several other questions. The civic body doesn't care about garbage, filth or encroachments on the footpaths. The dog poop issue is another gimmick to extract money, blamed some pet owners. Some even raised doubt about much emphasis on the scooper. "No one wants dirt in their home or premises, so it's our duty to keep clean our roads and public places too," said Fr Joseph D'souza. "There are several other options to clean dog's dirt. I used to with a plastic bag. No matter what we use for cleanliness the aim should be a clean area," he added.