Resident Welfare Association In Bengaluru imposing fine for keeping pets sparks confusion
Resident Welfare Association In Bengaluru imposing fine for keeping pets sparks confusion (representable Image)
A Bengaluru Resident Welfare Association (RWA) has stirred controversy by imposing a Rs 10,000 deposit for pet owners in the Ittina Mahavir apartment complex in Electronic City.
The RWA mandated a refundable amount per pet, with a deadline of November 15 for payment. Failure to comply will result in a Rs 100 daily fine starting from November 16.
The association claims that the collected funds will be utilized for treating victims of pet bites and for general pet-related maintenance within the complex. However, this rule has faced severe backlash from pet owners, animal rights activists, and social media users.
Social media responses ranged from sarcasm to criticism, with one user humorously suggesting, “Charging Rs 10,000 for keeping a pet? Perhaps they’re funding a secret space program.” Another user expressed astonishment, stating, “Wow, Rs 10,000 just to keep a pet? I guess they want to make sure only the most high-end fur babies are allowed in!”
Adding to the controversy, an official from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) labeled the RWA’s move as ‘illegal.’
The BBMP’s animal husbandry wing asserted that charging fees for keeping pets in houses is against the law. The official mentioned that government and BBMP-affiliated hospitals provides free treatment for dog bite victims, with compensation of Rs 2000. Therefore, the imposition of such a fee by a private entity is deemed unacceptable.
This incident highlights the clash between the RWA’s attempt to regulate pet ownership within the apartment complex and the legal and ethical concerns raised by residents, animal activists, and civic authorities.
The controversy has sparked discussions on the rights of pet owners and the legality of imposing financial penalties for keeping pets in residential communities.
