Guidelines with respect to Pet and Street Dogs, and their Care-Givers, and for Residents' Welfare Associations and Apartment Owners Associations
The Animal Welfare Board of India, under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India, issued these guidelines on 26 February 2015 for pet owners, street dog caregivers, residents' welfare associations and apartment owners' associations. No order number is stated, and the guidelines replace and withdraw the Board's circular dated 20 February 2014 on pet dogs and street dogs.
What the guidelines cover
The Animal Welfare Board of India guidelines dated 26 February 2015 address conflicts involving pet dogs, street dogs, their caregivers, residents' welfare associations and apartment owners' associations. They are animal welfare guidance, not a Tamil Nadu land registration or stamp duty document.
The source also contains part of an Animal Welfare Board of India communication dated 3 March 2008 concerning removal of community dogs. That communication refers to sterilisation and vaccination as the method for controlling stray or community dog populations.
Pet owners and housing associations
The Animal Welfare Board of India gives the following guidance for residential communities:
- Residents' welfare associations and apartment owners' associations cannot ban pets, restrict residents to small dogs or limit the number of pets through their bye-laws.
- Associations cannot prevent pets from using lifts or impose lift charges for pets. Where another convenient working lift exists, pet owners are advised to consider using it.
- Pet owners must leash pets in common areas, but associations cannot insist on muzzles.
- Associations cannot impose special fines or charges for pet excreta where no central or state law requires owners to clean it. Owners are nevertheless advised to clean up and help develop agreed cleanliness arrangements.
- Communities should consider agreed timings for walking pets in gardens or parks rather than banning access.
- Associations must not intimidate owners into abandoning pets.
Pet owners are advised to keep animals healthy, clean, regularly vaccinated and under control. They should try to reduce incessant barking, particularly at night, and should not abandon pets because of pressure from others.
Street dogs and caregivers
The Animal Welfare Board of India states that street dogs cannot be beaten, driven away, dumped elsewhere or killed. They may be sterilised and vaccinated, after which they must be returned to their original locality.
Street dog caregivers are advised to:
- Assist with sterilisation, yearly vaccination and health care.
- Avoid feeding near other people's homes, children's play areas, walking areas or crowded places.
- Prevent littering and clean feeding sites afterward.
- Keep vaccination and sterilisation information available for residents and associations.
The guidelines state that feeding street animals is not prohibited by law. They also warn that cruelty to animals and intimidation of people caring for community dogs may amount to offences.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can my apartment owners' association ban me from keeping a dog?
No. The guidelines state that residents' welfare associations and apartment owners' associations cannot ban pets through a majority decision, bye-law or regulation.
Can an association stop my dog from using the lift or charge an extra lift fee?
No. The guidelines state that associations cannot disallow pets from lifts or impose lift charges, although owners are advised to consider an alternate convenient lift where one is available.
Can street dogs be removed permanently from an apartment locality?
The guidelines state that street dogs cannot be beaten, driven away, dumped elsewhere or killed. They may be sterilised and vaccinated and must then be returned to their original locality.
Can residents feed street dogs inside or outside a gated community?
The guidelines state that no law prohibits feeding street animals. Caregivers should avoid crowded or sensitive locations, prevent littering and clean the feeding site afterward.
