Howrah to make dog licences mandatory for foreign and mixed-breed pets soon

Pet owners of foreign and mixed-breed dogs in West Bengal's Howrah will soon be required to acquire a mandatory licence, as the Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) is set to roll out a new pet licencing system in September.

This initiative aims to improve the regulation of pet ownership, strengthen public health measures, and curb the spread of diseases, particularly rabies, across the city, officials said. The move follows a similar, successful model implemented by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

Sujoy Chakraborty, the Chief Municipal Administrator of Howrah, announced the new regulations, emphasising that the primary goal is to create a more organised and accountable pet-owning community.

"This new rule will first apply to owners of foreign and mixed-breed dogs," he said, also revealing plans to eventually expand the licencing requirement to include pets such as exotic birds.

According to officials, the licencing system is a critical public health safeguard, as it mandates a current anti-rabies vaccination certificate for each dog. Rabies remains a serious threat, and this measure will enable the HMC to effectively track and control the disease, which can be fatal to both humans and animals.

To obtain a licence, residents must apply online through the civic body's official website. The application process is designed to be streamlined, requiring the owner’s Aadhaar card and the dog’s up-to-date vaccination certificate, with a specific focus on the anti-rabies shot.

The annual fee for the licence is a nominal Rs 150 and must be renewed each year. Chakraborty noted that the corporation will prioritise educating non-compliant owners before taking further action.

The decision has received support from some members of the community, while other pet owners have voiced concerns.

Rupinder Singh Parmar, a local dog lover and activist, commended the move, stating, "This is a welcome step from the Howrah Municipal Corporation. However, it is vital that these rules are properly enforced, and the government remains diligent."

Meanwhile, Piyali Ghosh, who owns a Shih Tzu, acknowledged the positive intent but raised a practical question. "The move is encouraging," she said, "but I wonder if a dog licence truly helps in the search for a lost pet."

A public awareness campaign is expected to be launched soon to inform residents about the new rules and the benefits of the licencing system.

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