Chandigarh to ban six breeds of dogs; to implement strict set of rules for pet owners

The amendments will be tabled before the General House meeting scheduled to be held Tuesday. Here are the major changes proposed:

The owner of the dog(s) will not take the dog(s) to the area of the Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, Shanti Kunj, Rock Garden, Leisure Valley, Mini Rose Garden, Fragrance Garden, Terrace Garden, Shivalik Garden and other public places/gardens as notified by the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, from time to time.

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From prohibition in taking pet dogs to certain places, including Sukhna Lake, to being fined Rs 10,000 as single-time penalty, from proposing a ban on seven breeds to pet dogs being seized — the Chandigarh civic body has proposed amendments to the Chandigarh Pet Dogs and Community Dogs Bye-laws, 2023.

“In response to the evolving dynamics of urban life in Chandigarh, where the presence of pet and community dogs has become increasingly prominent, the Municipal Corporation recognises the importance of harmonising the interactions between humans and these four-legged companions. The amendments in existing bylaws reflect a commitment to creating a more harmonious coexistence between humans and their beloved companions in our vibrant city of Chandigarh. Accordingly, draft has been prepared,” the civic body notes.

The amendments will be tabled before the General House meeting scheduled to be held Tuesday. Here are the major changes proposed:

Prohibition at certain places: The owner of the dog(s) will not take the dog(s) to the area of the Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, Shanti Kunj, Rock Garden, Leisure Valley, Mini Rose Garden, Fragrance Garden, Terrace Garden, Shivalik Garden and other public places/gardens as notified by the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, from time to time.

Obligation of owner: The owner of registered dogs will be required: (a) to keep the dog(s) protected by getting it vaccinated with anti-rabies and DHPPIL vaccination from a government or private veterinary practitioner duly registered with Indian Veterinary Council (IVC) or State Veterinary Council (SVC). The vaccination certificate will be furnished on demand during inspection by the registration authority or any officer/official of the Municipal Corporation duly authorised by the registration authority or within a period of 10 days from such inspection, by the owner of the dog(s), failing which registration of the dog(s) will be cancelled.

The owner will have to keep the dog(s) chained/leashed (not longer than 1.5-2.0 metres) while taking it outside. All ferocious dog(s) will be duly muzzled and a stick will be carried by the escort accompanying the dog(s) while taking it out. Dog(s) with aggressive behaviour shall be got trained through dog trainers registered with Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, to avoid any unwanted incident.

The owner will have to ensure that the dog(s) wear a collar affixed with the metal token issued by the registration authority, at all the times.

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Also, to compensate the person if a dog bites or causes any other harm to any person or to the property of any person.

Owners of pet dogs must ensure the dog walker (whether him/herself or any other person for c.g. house servant is utilised for the said purpose) knows how to control dogs and the knowledge about the said pet dogs bye-laws. If any violations are committed by the dog walker, the notified punishment/penalty will be imposed on dog owners.

dogs chandigarh

Liability of owner to pay compensation or damages: The owner of the registered dog(s) will keep the dogs under his/her control at all times so that it does not intimidate, annoy, hurt or bite any person. The Municipal Corporation will not be held responsible for any loss. Damage or injury caused by a registered dog(s) to any person or to his/her property and sole liability to compensate the victim, if required, shall remain with the owner of the registered dogs. The dog(s) will be impounded for observation of behaviour and penalty will be imposed over the owner.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

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