The Greater Chennai Corporation Council has passed a new resolution mandating licenses for pet owners, with a ₹5,000 fine for those who fail to register their dogs or cats before the deadline.
At the council meeting held at Ripon Building, heated exchanges broke out between AIADMK and DMK councillors before the resolution was approved.
During the session, K.P.K. Sathish Kumar, AIADMK Council Committee Chairman and councillor from Ward 182, raised concerns that while he was elected from his ward, official Corporation records mistakenly list it as Ward 184. He also criticized the delay in fulfilling demands made for the Kamaraj Nagar area over the past three years and recalled that the Nemili desalination project had been introduced by former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.
DMK councillors opposed his remarks, asserting that the project was originally initiated during the tenure of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. The debate led to uproar in the house, and Sathish Kumar, along with AIADMK members, eventually walked out.
After order was restored, the Corporation approved several resolutions, including the mandatory pet license rule. Pet owners have been given one month — until November 24 — to obtain licenses. Failure to comply will result in a ₹5,000 penalty. Corporation officials will also conduct door-to-door checks to enforce compliance.
Additionally, a ₹500 fine will be imposed on owners who allow their dogs to roam in public areas such as parks and walkways without collars or leashes. Awareness campaigns will soon be launched to promote responsible pet ownership.
In total, 71 resolutions were approved at the meeting, including one renaming East Circular Road in Mandaveli Baggam, Mylapore, as Singer Sirkazhi Govindarajan Road in honor of the celebrated Carnatic vocalist.
