Chennai, Nov 25 (NationPress) The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) informed the Madras High Court on Tuesday that pet owners are not required to muzzle their dogs when taking them to public areas.

The civic authority clarified that its previous advisory on muzzling is not a mandatory regulation.

During the proceedings before Justice V. Lakshminarayanan, who was reviewing a petition from the NGO People for Cattle in India, GCC lawyer A. Arun Babu stated that pet owners will not incur any fines for opting not to muzzle their dogs.

The NGO expressed concerns regarding certain breeds, like Bulldogs, that cannot wear muzzles due to their unique facial structure.

Nevertheless, the GCC emphasized that leashing pets in public locations is compulsory for the safety of the public.

The counsel informed the court that pet owners allowing their dogs to roam without a leash could be fined Rs 500. The civic body also provided an update about the city's ongoing pet licensing initiative, stating that it has received 82,000 online applications, with 35,348 dogs vaccinated and certified so far.

The deadline for obtaining licenses, originally set earlier, has been extended to December 7, with further flexibility noted by the counsel.

In response to the court's inquiry regarding microchipping, the GCC explained that this process is a one-time requirement, allowing for easy identification of pets without the need for yearly updates.

The court also sought information on how NGOs and animal welfare organizations, which temporarily shelter rescued animals, would fit into the licensing framework.

The GCC responded that these organizations could register the animals they care for and transfer the registration to adoptive owners at no extra charge.

The civic authority also assured the court that there is no cap on the number of pets one can own.

A recent issue on the licensing portal that restricted users to four applications was attributed to a technical error, which has now been rectified.

During the hearing, a female lawyer pointed out that the portal did not allow for the registration of Indian mongrels.

The GCC acknowledged this oversight but confirmed that mongrels could be categorized under 'others,' and that this issue would be addressed.

GCC Chief Veterinary Officer J. Kamal Hussain stated that pet owners or NGOs encountering difficulties related to licensing, vaccinations, or overcrowding at registration sites should contact his office for help.

After noting these submissions, the High Court concluded the petition, indicating that the NGO's concerns had been sufficiently addressed.