Several Surat dog owners’ refused pet licences as ‘neighbours object’

With the Residents Welfare Association (RWA) not objecting to his pet,  Rao is likely to get a pet licence soon.

“I have prepared all the documents including the photos, vaccination card, address proof, etc. and attached the letter to the SMC, and finally, my application is in process. Officials in the market department of the SMC  have told me that my application has been accepted and I will get a pet licence in the next few days,” Rao told The Indian Express.

According to the guidelines issued by the Surat Municipal Corporation  in June for keeping pets, apartment residents should get NOCs from the president and secretary of the residential society and those living in a “street or mohalla” should get signatures from 10 neighbours saying they have no issues with the pet.

Along with their applications for pet licences, owners have to submit copies of their Aadhaar card, a clear picture of their pet, rabies vaccination certificate and copies of their property tax bill or rental agreement. The pet owners should also give a declaration on stamp paper stating that he/she would adhere to all rules for keeping a pet at home, such as not letting it run free without a leash in the society and will ensure no complaint is received from neighbours regarding any nuisance caused by the pet.

In July, the SMC received 436 applications from dog owners for getting their pet registered, out of which licences were issued to 291 applicants.

As per the rules, only one dog is permitted in a flat.

Sunil Patel, who works in a diamond factory in Katargam, was not as lucky as Rao. He has a German Shepherd and a Pug, and his application for a pet licence was rejected as his neighbours have complained against his pets.

“These dogs were given to us by my friends who had shifted abroad three years ago. We keep the dogs inside our home. A few days ago, we received a notice from the Katgargam zone of the SMC, stating that the neighbours had complained about the dog. My neighbours have objected that the dog barks loudly at night. It is the tendency of the dogs – if they see some unknown persons, they will bark. We have submitted all the documents and applied for registration and licence. But we could not get signatures from our neighbours so our application was rejected”.

Talking to the Indian Express, Surat Municipal Corporation market department Superintendent Digvijay Ram said, “Everyday, we are getting the documents from dog owners with the necessary documents to get the pet dog registered. Six applications were rejected, and 136 are under process.”

Dog Owners and Welfare Committee president Geetanjali Italia said, “A few days ago, we made a representation to SMC Commissioner Shalini Agrawal and urged her to drop the  clause on obtaining clearance from 10 neighbours and consent of the president and secretary of an apartment for getting the registration of dogs. There is no resolution yet, so we will meet her again”.

Italia says, “In our group, many of our members complained that it is difficult to get signatures from neighbours or the president and secretaries. The majority of the pet dog owners in the city have not applied for registration as they are unable to comply with this guideline”.

Nayan Parmar, a dog trainer, also complains about the clause. “I have several clients. They all take good care of their pets and get them vaccinated regularly. The SMC has to find a solution to this issue.”