TWO DAYS after the municipal corporation appealed to pet owners to obtain licences for their dogs, it is overwhelmed by the response. More than 210 dogs have been registered with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) since Monday .

“Earlier, we would not even get 10 applications for registration of pets in one day. But in the last two days, we have received more than 200 applications,” said a BMC officer on condition of anonymity .

According to Section 191A of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, owners of dogs more than six months of age have to obtain a licence or the canine would be seized by the civic health department.

The owner has to pay Rs 100 per dog for the licence.

“We have given owners three months to get their pets registered. If they fail to do so, the de partment has a right to take the dogs in custody,” said Joint Executive Health Officer (BMC) G.T. Ambe.

There are 77,000 strays and 26,900 pets in the city, according to a BMC survey. But only 5,000 canines have been registered since the law was enforced about six months back. There is also a levy up to Rs 5,000 for not registering a pet.

Many pet owners, however, are not aware about the law. Actress Brinda Parekh, who has three dogs, said: “I don’t have licences for my pets. I am not even aware about the new rule and what I would benefit from it. First the BMC should educate pet owners and then enforce the rule.”

“What difference does it make if we do not register and say that the dog is a stray,” said an owner of two Alsatians from Dadar (East), on condition of anonymity.

Chairperson of the Public Health committee Shubhada Gudekar said: “I agree that all pet owners are not aware of the rule, so we are giving them time to register them. The health department should know how many dogs have been vaccinated and maintain a register.”

Parekh added: “We take care of our pets and give all the requisite vaccinations like rabies every year.” sujit.mahamulkar@hindustantimes.com