The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Thursday withdrew the controversial notification it had issued on pet regulations. BBMP informed the Karnataka High Court that it was taking back the notification after consultations with the Urban Development Department.
However, it's interesting to note that the BBMP has withdrawn the notification saying that the rules were tough to implement, and not because they found the rules to be problematic. They have also called for more consulations.
The entire notification that had enlisted many rules including one dog per apartment, three per house and the breeds that one could have, has been withdrawn.
The Chief Justice of Karnataka, Dinesh Maheshwari, had asked the BBMP to submit revisions to the notifications during the hearing on Wednesday.
“After the notification came into being, several animal lovers and associations have approached the BBMP and expressed difficulties in implementing these bye-laws. The BBMP in turn has brought this to the notice of the government of Karnataka regarding practical difficulties in implementing the bye-laws,” the Urban Development Department’s notification said.
The BBMP also submitted a notification issued by the Urban Development Department which states that new bye-laws will be framed after holding public consultation.
“Based on the requests of the general public, animal lovers, associations and the BBMP, the government has reexamined the issue and considered it necessary to call for suggestions from all stakeholders and reexamine the entire bye-laws in light of the inputs received. Accordingly, the above said bye-laws are withdrawn with immediate effect,” the notification states.
The court also stated that there has to be a mechanism to control the people who have numerous dogs.
“Now, an apartment holder will say I will have how many ever dogs I want. Shouldn’t there be a mechanism to control the people who have N number of dogs? A balance should be struck here. Yes, there has to be concern for animals but what about human beings?” Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari said.
The High Court, which called the BBMP’s move “fair”, also directed the BBMP to come up with comprehensive and balanced bye-laws after consulting with the stakeholders so that neither the people nor the animals are inconvenienced.
“BBMP cannot keep withdrawing petitions. Challenging and withdrawing notifications will not work. There is a need for a constructive, comprehensive bye-law. Give your suggestions to the BBMP,” Chief Justice Maheshwari told the petitioner.