Abandoning a pet in Chennai can cost ₹10,000, ₹5,000 without a license; vet explains why microchipping is beneficial

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has passed a new resolution imposing a stiff penalty ₹10,000 for pet owners who leave their microchipped dogs or cats in public places. The rule went into effect on October 1. Under the new enforcement mechanism, civic body officials, including veterinary, medical and sanitary officials, will scan lost or stray pets to trace their registered owners using their microchips. These pet parents would be responsible for abandoning their pet and would be fined accordingly.

In addition, the authorities would impose a ₹5,000 fine for keeping unlicensed dogs as pets and ₹500 for letting dogs loose in public. With these rules, the civic body is trying to curb the growing problem of abandoned pets and promote responsible pet care across the city.

The vet reacts to leaving the animal fine

LiveMint has teamed up with Dr Rina Dev, a leading exotic vet and founder of Riwild Sanctuary, who welcomed the move by the Greater Chennai Corporation.

The doctor shared that too often owners do not want to pay for treatment and medical bills for their pets, which leads to abandonment on the streets. However, if the animal is microchipped, there will be a clear data mandate that will benefit both the animal and the owner.

“The idea is very well appreciated because in today’s world, pet abandonment has become extremely common in every city. It will definitely help to solve the problem,” she said.

Dr. Dev believes the directive will be equally welcomed by most vets in the industry. “Unfortunately, because the fine effect is there, people realize the value and importance of chipping. Sometimes if you give instructions that chipping is mandatory without stating the consequences like a fine, people don’t take it seriously and do it at their own discretion. Pet parents often don’t do that. So to impose a fine, I see that as a good concept,” she added.

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Microchip for dogs and cats

A pet microchip is a permanent identification device. It contains details about the dog such as its pedigree, birth details and owner’s name. It is tiny, almost the size of a grain of rice, and is injected under the skin with a needle.

Microchip Trend in India

Explaining the current trends in the use of microchipping, the doctor pointed out that only those who travel abroad with dogs or owners of high-value dogs tend to chip their pets. Common pet parents often skip the procedure due to a lack of understanding.

“People, as pet parents, microchip their dogs because a lot of people don’t understand the benefits of a microchip in case the dog gets lost or stolen. Plus, frankly, as a vet, a microchip needle seems a bit big. So you’d think, why another injection? People tend to ignore it and keep the microchip that comes with the dog, it’s not a very common procedure.”

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How microchipping can benefit pets

Speaking of the benefits of microchipping dogs and cats, the doctor still hopes the mandate will streamline recovery and tracking efforts. The doctor shared that microchip numbers make it much easier to coordinate and reunite lost or abandoned dogs.

“As vets, we enter the patient’s information, including the microchip number, into our records. So tomorrow, when a dog is abandoned or you come across a lost dog, it will be easy.”

Illegal breeding practices

She also pointed out that the new rule will help curb illegal breeding and commercial use. She noted, “There are these puppy mills; it’s going to be regulated as well. We’re seeing cases of puppy mills where once the dog gets old and they can’t reproduce, they just abandon the dogs.”

“It’s a great step in terms of animal welfare,” she added.