NOIDA: The Greater Noida Authority, which is set to start pet registrations on its new app by December, asked owners not to panic if they could not find their breed in the dropdown menu. The app, they said, included only the common breeds like Labrador and German Shepherd.
For registering dogs like Dogo Argentino, Rottweilers and Pitbull — which are more ferocious breeds — and other exotic breeds, owners will have to use the ‘others’ option and manually enter the details.
“Currently, there is no breed-specific rule to prohibit/restrict registration of any animal. Instead, there are some guidelines for large breeds of dogs in the interest of other residents,” said Rajnikant Pandey, OSD, public health at GNIDA.
Authority teams will also physically verify animals once an owner applies for registration. “The teams will conduct random checks at residential societies and laned houses to ensure pet owners have not uploaded fake pictures and vaccination details. In case we get any complaint directly, action can be taken against a pet owner,” said a GNIDA official.
Residents and pet owners have questioned the authority’s decision to go for a lengthy pet registration process rather than putting an end to the illegal breeding of exotic dogs.
Kaveri Rana Bhardwaj, who runs an animal shelter in Greater Noida, said, “I have taken six dogs into my shelter, which include Pitbull, American Bully, Doggo Argentino, Pakistani Bully, Indian Bully, Rottweiler, and Mastiffs. I have also adopted over 20 of them in the last two years. No complaints, no bite cases. It’s not the dog, it’s always the handler. So, the question arises: why do I keep finding so many bullies and pit bulls on the roads of Greater Noida? They are bred inside the houses. So, if the Authority plans to introduce such lengthy processes for these exotic breeds or put some restrictions on keeping them, they also need to stop these illegal breeders.”
Another resident of Greater Noida, Vikram Alok Singh, who has a Perro de Presa Canario, a Spanish breed, said, “There is so much dearth of knowledge in our country, especially when it comes to pet dogs, and how to keep them. Whenever any breed is banned or some extra care is advised, it creates panic among the people. Officials must consult some trained people who will tell them any dog can bite if not trained properly. Pet registration will build up confidence among pet owners, but there should be no partiality with any breed just because it is perceived as ferocious.”
The work on pet registration in Greater Noida started in January 2023, with companies invited to make the app for seeking licences in December 2022. The app will have guidelines, pet-related reading content, and dos and don’ts of keeping a pet in multistorey buildings.
In Noida and Ghaziabad, where pet registration is mandatory, proof of vaccination issued by a recognised veterinarian has been made mandatory. Also, pet owners have to inform the authorities about a pet within 15 days of ownership. They must also disclose in case of the death of a pet or its transfer to another place or person.
While the annual registration fee for pets in Noida is Rs 500, the GMC charges Rs 1,000 per year. In Greater Noida, it is likely to be same as in Noida.
Last year, the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation banned Pitbull, Rottweiler, and Dogo Argentino breeds in the wake of a spate of dog bite incidents. The civic body had also issued a December 31, 2022, deadline for registration of the banned dog breeds. According to official estimates, Ghaziabad city has 20,000 pet dogs, which also include the three breeds.
“We extended the deadline for registering the restricted dog breeds until December 31st last year, which is now closed. Now, we are taking no further registration. Pet owners found with these three breeds without registration will now be penalised and the animal moved out of the municipal limits of the city,” said a senior GMC official. Around 52 ‘banned’ dogs were registered till last year, of them 25 were either abandoned or shifted by their dog owners.
A Ghaziabad resident, who was abroad last year and had to keep his pit bull with a house help, said, “This rule makes no sense to me. Why can’t I get my dog registered now? I was not in India last year, so I was not aware of this rule. Now, I don't know what to do about it.”
In Noida, the Noida Pet Registration app has received a few hundred registrations. Officials said camps will be organised to boost registrations.
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