Pune : Unauthorised Agents Exploit Pet Owners with Extra Charges Under the Guise of Pet Licences
PUNE : In an effort by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to regulate pet ownership through mandatory pet licences, unauthorised agents are capitalizing on the system to their advantage.
The official procedure for obtaining a pet licence entails submitting an online application, undergoing an inspection by a municipal officer, making a nominal payment of Rs 500, and then receiving the licence within a span of three weeks.
On June 6, A Pet Owner utilized the PMC’s website to apply for an H-11 pet licence. Despite adhering to the requisite steps, He found himself waiting for over two months to receive his licence. Unexpectedly, a phone call from an individual identifying as Rashid Khan came through, offering to expedite the process in exchange for a fee. Initially quoting Rs 3,000, the agent later decreased it to Rs 2,000 upon learning about his active application.
Dr. Sarika Funde, PMC’s chief veterinary officer, has urged “Pet owners to exercise caution and promptly report any instances of unauthorized individuals demanding extra payments. She emphasized that no supplementary charges are applicable in this scenario and advised vigilance against such fraudulent calls. The estimated timeframe for issuing licences ranges from 21 to 25 days, factoring in potential delays due to inspection procedures.”
