LMC collects ₹42,000 fine under pet dog licence drive in Gomti Nagar; weekly checks ahead!

Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) collected ₹42,000 during a dog licence enforcement drive, conducted in Gomti Nagar's Zone-4 areas, including Vijayant Khand, Vishal Khand and near Lohia Park, recently.

Led by Animal Welfare Officer Abhinav Verma, the operation targeted unlicensed dog owners, imposing fines of ₹35,000 on seven individuals. An additional ₹7,000 was raised through on-the-spot licence issuance. One Labrador was briefly seized during the drive but returned after the owner paid the fine.

The campaign faced resistance, with some pet owners locking their dogs indoors or fleeing the area to avoid fines. Others engaged in disputes with officials.

As of FY 2024-25, only 3,449 dog licences have been issued—a sharp drop from 5,600 in FY 2023-24 and 8,200 in FY 2022-23. With an estimated 10,000 pet dogs in Lucknow, LMC plans to conduct weekly drives throughout December to enforce regulations.

• Requirements: Licences are issued upon confirmation of rabies vaccination and submission of affidavits under the Dog Control By-laws, 2003

• Fees: ₹1,000 for foreign breeds and ₹200 for Indian breeds

• Limit: Two dogs per property, up to 200 square metres

New pet licenses can be obtained online via lmc.up.nic.in or at LMC Office in Lalbagh. For assistance, pet owners may visit authorised clinics or contact designated officials.

These licenses expire on March 31 each year, necessitating renewal. For inquiries regarding license renewal, contact Afsar Ali, Spokesperson from LMC's Animal Welfare Department, at 97210 95021.