By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) is all set to adopt strict rules in the wake of a spike in dog attacks and bites in recent times in the city.
Under the new laws, an FIR can be registered against the owner if the pet dog bites someone. The new bylaws are being prepared by the DMC in the wake of growing incidents of dog attacks in Dehradun, particularly by aggressive Rottweilers and Pitbulls. There is also a provision of seizure of dogs under the Dehradun Dog Licensing Bylaws-2025.
Under the bylaws, which will come into effect after publication in the official gazette, it will be mandatory to obtain a licence for any dog older than three months, which will be valid for one year from the date of registration or renewal. An anti-rabies vaccination certificate issued by a veterinarian will be mandatory at the time of registration.
According to the bylaws, for licenses of highly aggressive dog breeds such as Rottweilers, Pitbulls, American Bulldogs, etc., along with the anti-rabies vaccination certificate, a sterilization certificate will also be required after the dog completes one year of age.
While the registration fee for normal breeds of dogs has been kept at Rs 500, it has been fixed at Rs 2000 for aggressive breeds.
The bylaws also specify the residential area required for keeping dogs. While one highly aggressive or four normal category dogs can be kept in 300 square yards, two normal category dogs can be kept in 200 square yards.
In addition, for keeping five or more dogs, the provisions of a private dog animal shelter will apply, for which permission from the Uttarakhand Animal Welfare Board and a No Objection Certificate from neighbors will be mandatory. The license fee for the shelter has been kept at Rs 1000 per month.
Under the bylaws, no license fee will be charged for adopting stray dogs. The bylaws include provisions for taking action against pet owners for repeated complaints of their dogs barking late at night, allowing their dogs to defecate in public places or in the open, taking their dogs out without their own or their caretaker’s supervision, and taking their dogs to public places without a leash, muzzle, and chain.