Get your pet dog registered if you are in Delhi. Else, it can invite action

With dog attacks in the national capital region on the rise, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has asked residents to get their pets registered.

The MCD said Sunday that this is mandated by law in Delhi - under the Delhi Municipal Act 1957 - and that non-compliance can invite action. This also applies to those who adopt strays as pets.

The MCD has powers to detain a dog found in a public place, if it is not registered with them. There is also a provision of fining the pet parent and even carrying out prosecution.


"In view of increasing number of dog-bite incidents, the MCD urges citizens to get their pet dogs registered. Under the section 399 of Delhi Municipal Act 1957, it is mandatory to register all pet dogs with the municipal corporation," the civic body's statement said.

Dog-bite cases, some of them vicious ones involving breeds like pit bulls, have been reported in the last few days in Noida, Ghaziabad and other parts of the NCR,

The MCD's complaint is that residents are reluctant to come forward to get their pets registered with them

"We appeal to citizens to get their pet dogs registered at the earliest, otherwise appropriate action can be taken as per DMC Act. The rule applies even to those who have adopted stray dogs as pets," the MCD said.

Registration helps the authorities maintain a database of pet dog owners and also helps control illegal practices like unregistered dog breeding.

Here are the benefits from registration: it helps keep tabs on how many are vaccinated against rabies; it helps trace missing pets.

MCD has a hassle-free online facility for registering dogs. Documents that are needed to be submitted include anti-rabies vaccination certificate, a photograph of the animal, residence proof and identity proof of the owner.