Navi Mumbai News: After Criticism From Animal Activists, NMMC Says Society NOC Not Mandatory For Dog License

Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has drawn flak from animal lovers for asking a no-objection certificate from the housing society to keep dog at home. While the civic body claimed that the document is not mandatory, animal activists have demanded the complete removal of the criteria.

The civic body of Navi Mumbai has set forth mandatory conditions for obtaining a pet license that would enable pet owners to keep pets at their homes. One amongst such mandatory conditions is of obtaining an NOC from the society where the dog lives.

However, this criteria has been heavily criticised by animal lovers as well as animal welfare organisations, as they called it an indirect way of making the housing societies as decision makers whether a resident can keep pets at their residence.

Animal Welfare Groups Slam NMMC’s Pet License Rule

Animal activists have alleged that the condition of seeking NOC from society, is contrary to the laws enacted in protection of animals, including the circulars issued by the animal welfare board of India, prevention of cruelty to animals act and the fundamental duty imposed by Indian constitution.

PAL Foundation Sends Strong Representation to NMMC Chief

Amid this uproar, Pure Animal Lovers (PAL) Welfare Foundation wrote to NMMC chief Dr. Kailas Shinde, through its advocates Ashok Shahani and Preeti Salaskar, demanding immediate removal of the said criteria from the application form.

The strong-worded representation has called the pre-condition of seeking consent from a society as arbitrary, unwarranted and bad in law. The letter, dated August 4, stated that any disputes between members of a society falls within the purview of the registrars of societies, which has not issued any circular mandating an NOC till date.

It also added that issuance of such a circular, rules or bye laws would be contradictory to the aforementioned laws in force safeguarding the welfare and wellbeing of both pets and pet families.

“A pet is like a child all through its life, dependent on humans for care. They are considered to be a part of the family by its pet family. Such a mandatory condition is discriminatory, it encourages a mindset of hatred towards animals especially dogs, societal isolation of pet parents and would do more harm than good. It gives an option to the residential society to ban pets or impose restrictions on pet movements. The undue pressure may also result in abandonment of pets,” read the letter, suggesting NMMC to spread awareness about animal welfare laws among housing societies, residents associations.

NMMC Issues Clarification Amid Uproar

Following the letter, NMMC tried to save itself and replied saying, “Dog license is being given by NMMC through online mode. While filling details, uploading society NOC is not mandatory. The documents which are mandatory, have been marked with an asterisk.”

Activists Demand Complete Removal of Clause and Disclaimer on Website

However, the animal activists have alleged that the requirement is misguiding as it appears to be mandatory. In a reply, PAL Foundation stated that even if the requirement is not mandatory, it gives an opportunity to the housing societies to harass pet parents.

Reiterating its demand of removing the requirement of NOC, the animal welfare organisation also requested the civic body to add a disclaimer on the website informing citizens that there is no restriction keeping pets in housing societies.

Talking to The Free Press Journal, PAL Foundation’s animal rights advisor Roshan Pathak said, “Pet parents had been facing troubles with their societies for getting an NOC. They find it similar to harassment. Instead of maintaining animal awareness, NMMC is working on an act that is inciting animal haters and is against animal laws and regulations. This unlawful act has been highlighted with the AWBI and the district collector. We will take this matter to court if they don't repeal these regulations.”

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Prohibitions On Housing Societies And Residents Laid By AWBI Guidelines:

* Banning residents from keeping pets

* No general body resolution can make / amend bye laws / rules that bans pets as a companion

* Pets have full access to the common areas of the society, and no restrictions on their movements within the society can be imposed

* Pets cannot be refrained from using common lifts, parks etc

* There can be no insistence / force imposed upon pet parents to muzzle the pet

* With respect to cleaning after the pet, there can be no rules, bye laws created nor fines levied upon pet parents

* No pet parent can be pressurised / intimidated to give up / abandon their pets, as it would tantamount to abetment in cruelty towards animals