No licence to pet? LMC could take away your dog

LUCKNOW: If you have not yet taken a licence for your pet dog or haven't got it renewed after expiry, be sure to get it done on priority. Failure to do so could invite a fine of Rs 5,000 or worse, you could even lose your pet.
After receiving around 100 complaints over the past month from residents about disturbances caused by their neighbour's pet, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has decided to conduct a detailed survey of pet owners from Friday.It will penalise those who are found without a proper licence. The rule is only for dogs as of now.
"On an average, we are getting four telephonic or written complaints every day. Neighbours of pet owners say dogs disturb them and defecate outside their house," said LMC chief veterinary officer Dr Arvind K Rao.
Some people have even complained that their neighbours keep unlicensed stray dogs with them. These dogs, they allege, bark all night, troubling children who study and people who are asleep.
"The family next to my house accommodates five stray dogs in their compound. They keep disturbing everyone in the colony," said Gungun Tiwari, a student from Utrathiya.
Several complaints of dog bites have also been registered with LMC. "I was riding my cycle when a pet dog bit me on my leg," said Pranjul Srivastava, a resident of Krishnanagar. "Every second morning, I wake up to clean my doorstep where my neighbour's pet German Shepherd dog excretes and walks away," said Babli, a resident of Aashiana.
To determine the number of pets and pet owners, LMC will conduct a survey across the city. Action will be taken against those whose pets cause any serious disturbance or injury to others.
The licence would be valid for a year and will have to be renewed for an additional fee.