Pet dog registrations in Ahmedabad have seen a significant rise in the past two days following a harrowing incident where a Rottweiler mauled a four-month-old baby. The unregistered status of the attacking dog has prompted local authorities to ramp up efforts to ensure compliance with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) pet registration rules.
In response to the attack, there has been a notable spike in registrations. On May 14 and 15 alone, 330 dogs were registered by 297 owners, marking the highest two-day registration count since the campaign’s initiation. Prior to this surge, daily registrations had been averaging only 8 to 10 dogs. For context, a total of 305 pet dogs were registered in April.
The AMC had launched a citywide pet registration campaign earlier this year with the goal of making Ahmedabad a rabies-free city. While the city is estimated to have nearly 50,000 pet dogs, only 5,548 dogs had been registered by May 13.
As part of their registration push, the AMC is threatening strict actions against non-compliant owners. Penalties may include disconnection of water and drainage services for households with unregistered pets. Additionally, notices will be issued to owners who fail to register their dogs.
Popular breeds among those newly registered include German Shepherds, Labradors, Siberian Huskies, Pomeranians, and Golden Retrievers.