Chandigarh— The Chandigarh Administration has approved the revised Pet and Community Dog Bylaws, bringing in stricter controls on pet ownership, penalties, and public safety. The Municipal Corporation (MC) had submitted the draft earlier this year after reviewing public feedback and securing approval from the General House.
Under the updated rules, seven aggressive dog breeds — American Bulldog, American Pitbull, Pitbull Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, and Rottweiler — have been banned from being kept as pets within city limits. Owners who registered these breeds with the MC before the enforcement of the new bylaws will remain exempt from the ban.
The revised framework introduces a detailed penalty system. A fine of ₹500 will be imposed for minor violations, while owners will face a ₹10,000 penalty if their dog defecates in a public place. The act will now be treated as littering, similar to offences under the Solid Waste Management Bylaws.
In a major reform, the MC will add fines for dog-related violations directly to property and water tax bills to ensure better compliance and recovery. Furthermore, designated feeding zones for stray dogs will be identified in consultation with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to prevent conflicts and maintain hygiene. Citizens found littering at these feeding points will also face a ₹10,000 fine.
The bylaws empower the civic body to act against cases of animal cruelty or neglect. On receiving a complaint, MC officials can inspect premises, collect evidence, seize the animal, cancel its registration, and initiate legal proceedings under animal cruelty laws.
Pet registration has been made mandatory for all dogs above four months of age. Owners are fully responsible for any injury or damage caused by their pets, and the MC will not be held liable in such incidents.
The number of dogs allowed per household has been capped according to property size — one dog for up to a 5-marla house, one per floor in a three-storey building, two for a 10-marla house, three for a 12-marla house, and four for a one-kanal property.
