AMC Plans New Rules for Pet Dog Ownership After Infant's Death

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is working on new rules for pet dog ownership. This move comes after a tragic incident in Hathijan, where a 4-month-old girl died after being attacked by a pet Rottweiler. The new rules will make it mandatory for all pet dogs to be registered.

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Rules to Apply to All Dog Breeds

The new rules will not just apply to aggressive breeds but all types of pet dogs. Officials said the rules will be similar to those made for stray cattle in cities. The aim is to create a strong legal system to ensure the safety of the public and promote responsible pet care.

Pet Owners to Be Held Responsible

According to AMC, the proposed rules will clearly state the responsibilities of dog owners. These may include:

• Keeping dogs on a leash or muzzle in public areas
• Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene
• Facing legal action in case of dog bites or attacks
• Possible limits on how many dogs a family can own

Final Approval Awaited

Before the rules become official, they will need to be approved by AMC’s standing committee and then by the state government. If passed, these rules could be applied in other cities across Gujarat.

AMC Already Began Dog Registrations

The AMC started registering pet dogs earlier this year under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023. So far, only 5,520 dogs out of an estimated 52,000 have been registered. The deadline, which was in March, has now been extended to May 31.

PETA Urges Ban on Dangerous Breeds

PETA India has written to Gujarat’s Chief Minister asking for a ban on aggressive breeds like Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Dogo Argentinos, and others. PETA claims these breeds are often sold to unaware families and can be hard to control.

Details of the Recent Tragedy

On May 12, a baby named Rushika was killed by a pet Rottweiler named Rocky. The dog broke loose from its leash and bit the child multiple times while she was in her aunt's arms. The dog was owned by Dilip Ganpat Patel, and a police case has been filed.

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