In a surprising move, a Resident Welfare Association (RWA) in Bengaluru has ignited a heated debate by introducing a Rs 10,000 deposit for pet owners residing in the Ittina Mahavir apartment complex in Electronic City. The association’s mandate, aimed at regulating pet ownership, has triggered backlash from pet owners, animal rights activists, and the online community.
The RWA has set a deadline of November 15 for pet owners to submit the refundable deposit, failing which they will incur a daily fine of Rs 100, starting from November 16. The association justifies this financial requirement by stating that the collected funds will be utilized for treating victims of pet bites and general pet-related maintenance within the complex.
However, the announcement has not been well-received on social media, with users expressing a range of reactions from sarcasm to criticism. One user humorously speculated, “Charging Rs 10,000 for keeping a pet? Perhaps they’re funding a secret space program.” Another user expressed disbelief, 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 fuel to the fire, an official from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) declared the RWA’s move as ‘illegal.’ The BBMP’s animal husbandry wing clarified that charging fees for keeping pets in houses goes against the law. Government and BBMP-affiliated hospitals provide free treatment for dog bite victims, including compensation of Rs 2000. Therefore, the imposition of such a fee by a private entity is deemed unacceptable.
This incident highlights a significant clash between the RWA’s attempt to regulate pet ownership and the legal and ethical concerns raised by residents, animal activists, and civic authorities. The controversy has sparked widespread discussions on the rights of pet owners and the legality of imposing financial penalties for keeping pets in residential communities.
