Mandatory to carry poop scooper: BMC

Mumbai: Pet owners in city will have to pay Rs 500 fine from next week for not carrying a poop scooper while taking their pet dog for a stroll. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to make it compulsory for dog owners to carry shit lifter equipment while walking with their pets.

According to the BMC’s cleanliness and sanitation bylaws of 2006, a pet owner has to clean his pet’s poop or face a fine of Rs 500. The law does not allow animal poop to be thrown into public dustbins. The clean-up marshals, deployed by the civic body, keep vigil on the promenade and fine the pet-owners who violate the regulations. The civic body has now decided to get strict with the act to discipline the pet owners.

From next week, those who do not have poop scooper with them while carrying their pets for a stroll on public places will be fined Rs 500.

“Several pet owners and caretakers bring their pets out for a stroll at public places, roads or footpaths. During this, they allow pets to defecate in the public place, which is likely to create the issue of unhealthy and unhygienic conditions,” said civic officials.

Keeping this in mind, the BMC has also decided to implement a special public awareness drive this week in this regard. Under the drive, people carrying their pets at public places will be enlightened about the hazards of such practices. They will also be informed that it is mandatory to carry poop scooper with them during the visit to public places.

“During the visits, they are also making a demonstration of how to lift the animal poop with the help of shit lifter equipment,” said a senior civic official.