Hyderabad: Pet owners across the 700-sq km Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC), covering LB Nagar, Malkajgiri and Uppal zones, will now have to take greater responsibility for keeping public spaces clean when walking their dogs. The civic body has decided to make pet owners responsible for cleaning up their dogs’ waste in public places, with fines to be imposed on those who fail to comply.Taking a cue from Singapore and Madrid, where pet owners are expected to clean up after their pets defecatein public spaces, the newly formed MMC is planning to crack down on pet waste left on roads, footpaths, parks and other public areas.The move follows complaints submitted by residents through Prajavani, who flagged instances of pet owners allowing their dogs to defecate near apartment complexes, parks and other public spaces without cleaning up the waste. Residents have raised concerns over the resulting unhygienic conditions and the inconvenience caused to people using these spaces.“As part of the initiative, we will create awareness among pet owners starting this week about maintaining cleanliness and sanitation while taking their dogs outdoors. Owners will be made responsible for collecting and disposing of their pets’ waste instead of leaving it behind on public roads and open spaces. We will initially focus on awareness and voluntary compliance. However, if the campaign fails to bring about the desired change and pet waste continues to litter public spaces, we will serve notices and impose penalties on erring owners,” a senior MMC (health & sanitation wing) official said.Rules exist, but not enforcedThe proposed crackdown seeks to put into practice instructions issued by the commissioner and director of municipal administration in 2024, which directed municipal corporations, except Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), to take action against pet owners whose dogs defecate in the public places and impose penalties of up to ₹1,000.The instructions called on municipal corporations to implement the measure and take necessary action against violations. However, despite the directive, the provision has not been effectively enforced across the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits, leaving pet waste on roads, footpaths and in parks a recurring civic concern.The proposed initiative also seeks to establish that responsible pet ownership extends beyond feeding, vaccinating and caring for animals. Owners need to ensure that their pets do not inconvenience other residents or compromise public hygiene, officials said.
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