Howrah to Make Dog Licences Mandatory for Foreign and Mixed-Breed Pets from September

Pet owners in Howrah will soon have to obtain a mandatory licence for their foreign and mixed-breed dogs, as the Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) prepares to introduce a new pet licencing system from September.

According to officials, the move is aimed at regulating pet ownership, improving public health measures, and curbing the spread of rabies across the city. The system mirrors a similar model already implemented by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

Sujoy Chakraborty, Chief Municipal Administrator of HMC, confirmed the development, stressing that the initiative is designed to ensure greater accountability among pet owners.
“This new rule will first apply to owners of foreign and mixed-breed dogs,” Chakraborty said, adding that the civic body also plans to gradually extend the regulation to exotic birds and other pets.

As per the guidelines, every licence application must include the pet owner’s Aadhaar details and a valid anti-rabies vaccination certificate for the dog. Rabies continues to pose a serious health risk in the state, and the licencing framework is expected to help authorities track and control the disease more effectively.

The licence fee has been set at a nominal ₹150 per year, with annual renewals required. Applications can be filed online through HMC’s official website. The civic body also plans to run an awareness campaign before enforcing penalties for non-compliance.

While many have welcomed the move, reactions from residents remain mixed.
Rupinder Singh Parmar, a local animal rights activist, called the decision “a welcome step” but stressed the need for strict enforcement.
On the other hand, pet owner Piyali Ghosh, who has a Shih Tzu, questioned its practical utility. “The intent is good, but will a licence really help us trace a lost pet?” she asked.

The HMC has assured citizens that the focus will initially be on educating pet owners, with penalties considered only in cases of repeated violations.