One morning, while making tea in your small flat, you look out the window. A hungry and thirsty dog is wandering on the road. Your heart melts, but can you bring him home? If your house is in Chandigarh and is of only 4 marla, then the new law clearly says – No. On October 30, the Chandigarh administration notified the Pet and Community Dog Bylaw 2025, according to which now small households will not be able to keep dogs. That means now your status will be decided by the dog.
So let us understand in ABP Explainer what are the new rules of dog keeping, how dog keeping became a status symbol and why it is necessary to have a big house for dogs…
Question 1- What is the basic rule of dog keeping in India?
answer- Owning a dog in India is your fundamental right, but with responsibility. There is no central law, which is the same in every state, rather it runs at the local municipal corporation or state level. The main basis is the ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA Act)’ of 1960, which says that dogs should not be kept hungry, thirsty, should not be beaten and should not be subjected to cruelty. Under this, if your dog bites someone, then under section 289 of IPC, there can be a punishment of 3 months or a fine of Rs 200.
According to the 2020 guidelines of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), pet ownership is a fundamental right. Under Article 51A(g) of the Constitution, it is the duty of every citizen to have compassion for animals. But local rules insist on vaccination (anti-rabies), license, and leash (rope). Like the 2023 rules of Delhi MCD require registration of every dog. ABC (Animal Birth Control) program runs for stray dogs in Mumbai BMC.
Overall, the 2023 Humane Society International (HSI) report says that there are 3.3 crore pet dogs in India. These are mostly in urban areas, where 2.3 crore houses have dogs. It is less in rural areas, because there dogs are mostly bred for guard or work. Now the new law of Chandigarh has reversed this, now only the size of the house matters.
Question 2- What does the new law for keeping dogs in Chandigarh say?
answer- The story of making dog keeping rules in Chandigarh began in 2023, when Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MCC) made draft bylaws. Objections were taken from the public and it was approved in May 2025. Chandigarh Administration notified this on 30 October. Under this, to keep a dog, there should be a house of at least 5 marla. There are 272 square feet in 1 marla.
- A house of at least 5 marla for keeping 1 dog.
- If there are 3 floors then one dog can be kept on each floor i.e. a total of 3 dogs.
- 2 dogs in 10 marla house.
- 3 dogs in 12 marla house.
- 4 dogs in a house of 1 kanal.
Apart from this, registration is necessary for keeping a dog. The fee for a dog above 4 months of age is Rs 500.
- It is necessary for the dogs to wear metal tokens and collars, otherwise they will be confiscated.
- Ban on 6 invasive species like American Bulldog, American Pitbull, Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino and Rottweiler.
- Leash (rope) required when moving out of the house, fine of Rs 10,000 for not cleaning feces and urine in a public place.
- Dogs banned at 8 places like Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, Rock Garden.
- Feeding zones for stray dogs will be made in consultation with RWAs, a fine of Rs 10,000 will be imposed on unauthorized feeding.
Question 3- So now will a poor person not be able to keep a dog in Chandigarh?
answer- According to the Tribune’s report ‘Good and Bad News for Dog Lovers’, this is for public safety as stray attacks have increased and children and joggers are in danger. But yes, it also shows the class divide. If your house is small, it is difficult to keep a dog. It is becoming a joke on social media that now dogs will outnumber humans in every sector. But the truth is bitter that it has become a question of status. The rich will have 4 dogs in their big houses and the middle class houses will have 1 dog, but what about the poor. According to a 2023 study by Humane Society International (HSI), pet ownership in India is increasing by 12% annually, but is limited to the urban middle class. Poor people, who live on rent or in small houses, are excluded from this. In such a situation, the question arises whether keeping a dog has now become a means of showing status.
Question 4- Generally, how many marla houses are made in Punjab-Chandigarh?
answer- Chandigarh is a planned city, where the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) allots plots. According to Census 2011 (latest housing data, not updated till 2025), Chandigarh has a total of 235,061 houses, of which 97% are in urban areas. The average plot size is 10 marla. But there is not equal distribution. 60% of the houses are 5-12 marla (for small-medium class), 25% are 12 marla to 1 kanal and only 10% are more than 1 kanal.
In Punjab, NFHS-5 (2019-21) data says, 40% of the 54 urban households are up to 10 marla and 70% in rural areas are smaller (3-5 marla). Tribune’s August 20, 2024 report says, a 10 marla house in Chandigarh is sold for Rs 7 crore, which is expensive even for the middle class. Small houses (5 marla) mostly belong to EWS or low income groups, where 80% of the families have 4-5 members. That means the new law will affect 60% of the households, which will be able to keep only 1-2 dogs.
Question 5- Then how rich will one have to be to keep a dog in Punjab-Chandigarh?
answer- Property prices are skyrocketing in Chandigarh. According to the Tribune report, a 10 marla house in Chandigarh is available for between Rs 7 to Rs 10 crore and a 1 kanal house starts from Rs 20 crore. A 10 marla house in Sector 18 is worth more than Rs 10 crore. So if you buy a 5 marla house to keep a dog, it will cost you Rs 4-5 crore. The price of a 5 marla plot is around Rs 3 crore. On top of that, to build a house, you will have to pay an EMI of Rs 3 to 4 lakh per month, which means the expense just for raising a dog is Rs 5 crore. Meanwhile a Rolls Royce car will arrive. It is impossible for any middle class or poor person to do all this. The monthly salary of a middle class person is maximum up to Rs 30 thousand. Whereas a poor man earns his living by working as a daily wage labourer. Now keeping a dog will become a dream for them.