The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has launched a stringent drive to enforce mandatory microchipping and licensing for pet dogs across the city. The crackdown, which began on Monday, involves door-to-door inspections and random checks of dogs being walked in public spaces like beaches and parks.
On-the-Spot Fines and Inspections Begin
On the very first day of enforcement, civic authorities collected a total of ₹9,000 in fines. The penalties were issued for two primary violations: owning an unlicensed dog and walking a dog without a leash. Officials, equipped with handheld scanners, conducted checks in residential neighborhoods and popular public areas.
A dedicated team, which included a veterinarian, carried out the inspections. Dr. J Kamal Hussain, GCC veterinary officer, confirmed that a four-member team was deployed for this purpose. The drive comes after the final deadline for compliance, which was December 14, following earlier extensions.
Details of the Fines and Compliance
During the initial enforcement, eight pet owners were fined ₹500 each for the offence of walking their dogs without a leash. In a more severe case, a pet owner in Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar was penalized ₹5,000 for failing to obtain a pet license altogether.
The door-to-door inspections were partly initiated based on specific complaints from residents about pet dogs causing inconvenience. However, officials noted that no penalties were imposed during these home visits on the first day, as most dogs were found to be already microchipped.
Public Response and Registration Numbers
The GCC has been offering free anti-rabies vaccination, microchipping, and licensing services at its pet clinics and animal birth control centers since October 8. This appears to have boosted compliance. Resident R Ashwathy Pillai from Madhavaram, who has adopted 15 stray dogs, stated that all her dogs were microchipped and licensed. She confirmed that the inspection team used scanners to verify the chips and checked the corresponding licenses.
According to officials, out of nearly one lakh (100,000) registered pet dogs in the city, more than 60,000 have already been microchipped and issued official licenses. This indicates a significant level of compliance ahead of the enforcement drive, though the GCC is determined to identify and penalize remaining defaulters.
The corporation's move aims to create a more accountable pet ownership ecosystem, ensure rabies control through traceability, and address public nuisance complaints systematically. The use of technology like microchips is seen as a permanent solution for identifying pets and their owners.
