BMC’s drive next week to penalise pet owners

MUMBAI: Starting next week, the civic body will launch a week-long drive during which dog-walkers will be penalized if they do not carry along the mandatory poop scooper.
This is in keeping with its recent circular, directing dog owners to carry a poop scooper while walking their pets in public. The civic body has now instructed its officials to undertake the drive from December 10. TOI reported this in its edition dated November 30.

A municipal official said that this week they will sent out warnings to pet-walkers about next week’s drive. From next week, they will start penalizing those who flout the rule.

Currently, clean-up marshals appointed by the civic body can penalise pet owners Rs 500 if they do not clean up if their pet litters. The new rule mandates that those walking pets carry a scooper irrespective of whether or not the pet does its business in public.

Officials said that, in recent days, the number complaints about pets littering in public has gone up. This is why the civic body decided to initiate action and put out a circular recently.

A civic official said that, during this special drive, it is not only clean-up marshals, but also other “nuisance detectors” in every ward who will be instructed to keep an eye on those who default.

The rule book states that pet owners must ensure proper disposal or clean-up of their dog’s litter. Failure to do the same is punishable, according to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act.