In a targeted early morning operation, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) cracked down on unlicensed pet dogs in the upscale Gomtinagar area, penalising six owners and collecting fines totalling Rs 30,000.
Morning Drive Nets Unlicensed Pets
The special checking drive was conducted on Tuesday morning around 6:30 am. It was spearheaded by the civic body's animal welfare department, which received support from an enforcement team, the dog-catching squad, and other municipal staff. The teams covered several localities within Gomtinagar during the operation.
Officials identified six specific cases where residents were keeping dogs without the valid municipal licence required by law. As a direct result of these findings, the authorities recovered the fine amount from the owners. Furthermore, six new dog licences were issued on the spot immediately after the penalty payments were made.
Temporary Seizure and Revenue Generated
In one notable instance, a pug dog was temporarily seized by the officials. The pet was later released to its owner only after the prescribed penalty was duly deposited. The total financial impact of the drive was significant for the civic treasury. With the Rs 30,000 in fines and Rs 6,000 collected from the new licence fees, a combined sum of Rs 36,000 was credited to the Lucknow Municipal Corporation's treasury.
Officials Cite Safety and Regulation
According to Animal Welfare Officer Abhinav Verma, the civic body estimates that approximately 10,000 pet dogs reside within the limits of the LMC. Officials clarified that the primary objectives of such enforcement drives are threefold:
- To ensure all pet dogs are properly licensed with the municipality.
- To verify and promote rabies vaccination for public health safety.
- To uphold overall public safety in residential neighbourhoods.
The LMC has indicated that similar checking drives will continue in various parts of the city in the coming days to encourage compliance among pet owners.
