Bengaluru: Apartment residents asked to pay Rs 10,000 for keeping pets in flats

An apartment complex in Bengaluru has imposed a strict regulation demanding a refundable registration fee of Rs 10,000 from every pet owner.

This policy by the resident welfare association (RWA) of Ittina Mahavir, located in Neeladri Nagar of Electronics City Phase 1, has faced strong criticism from both the BBMP and animal rights activists, who have deemed it illegal.

With approximately 100 pet-owning residents out of a total of nearly 1,000 flats, this policy has stirred a heated debate within the community.

The RWA defends the fee by stating that it will cover expenses for any dog-bite incidents or the failure to maintain cleanliness within the premises. However, opponents of the policy argue that the collection of fees from residents for pet ownership is not within the RWA's jurisdiction, and that only the Karnataka Animal Welfare Board or the BBMP possesses the authority to enforce regulations concerning pets in public and residential areas.

Consequently, the RWA has mandated all pet owners to complete their registration by submitting the Rs 10,000 fee before November 15 through a dedicated forum established by the association.