More money for many barks

BANGALORE: For all you pet lovers, having a pack of dogs at home might cost more henceforth. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) plans to hike the licence fee for every second and third pet dog.Canine lovers as well as animal activists across the city opposed this proposal by the BBMP. Canine lovers said that BBMP cannot restrict on number of dogs one should own. However, Palike has not stepped back completely but has modified the proposal to issue licence. According to a senior official from the Palike, BBMP is drafting new rules on pet dogs.As the city was witnessing an increasing number of dog bite cases, the BBMP Animal Husbandry department is taking up the animal birth control measures (ABC) in a full-fledged manner. However, ABC is restricted to stray dogs.In order to distinguish pet dogs from strays, the Palike planned to issue licences to pet dogs. After many opposing, Palike now plans to increase the licence fee for every additional pet dog.“If we charge a fixed amount to issue dog licence for the first dog, it will be twice the amount for the second and thrice for the third dog. So, for every additional dog, fee will be increased,” joint director to Animal Husbandry, Dr Pervez Ahmed Piran said. However, Palike is yet to finalise. “We are yet to fix the fee for the first dog. The matter will be placed at the Standing Committee (Health) for more discussion soon, where it will be cleared,” Piran said.