NOIDA: The AOA of a housing society has proposed stiff fines on pet owners who violate rules it has set on use of elevators and common areas, a move that adds to the raging debate on effectiveness of existing guidelines and efforts to supplant them with stringent ones formulated by condominium administrators. In a recent directive sent to residents, the AOA of Prateek Laurel in Sector 120 said failure to adhere to its rules would lead to a fine of Rs 5,000 the first violation and Rs 10,000 for a repeat violation of rules on use of only service lifts for taking pets out, using a leash and muzzle when outside the house, carrying paper to scoop the poop immediately, etc. The AOA said it will file a police complaint if the violations don’t stop even after that. Last week, the Greater Noida authority (GNIDA) had stepped in to stop a society there – ATS Greens Paradiso – from imposing fines on pet owners for similar violations, reminding it that RWAs and AOAs do not have the power to impose fines. It also said underlined that there are comprehensive Animal Welfare Board of India guidelines that are to be followed by all. However, in various societies, calls from a section of administrators and residents for stricter rules revived after a couple of incidents of pets attacking people in the elevator were reported in the city in recent weeks. Pet owners and animal activists have opposed these as arbitrary, illegal and high-handed. But condominium administrators have cited concerns on safety voiced by residents to justify their demand. The Prateek Laurel directives said, “Service lift should be used to carry pets. The pet owner shall use the lift – only when it is vacant. The pet should be leashed and muzzled in lift. Pet owners shall also ensure that they carry plastic/paper or poop scooper with them when they come out from their flats. They will be responsible to clean the poop immediately if done in the lift (sic).” A Prateek Laurel resident told TOI, “Rules on leash and poop scoop are acceptable to all but the muzzles and threats of fines are not. This is aimed to push pet owners into a corner and create a feeling of insecurity.” Prabhat Vats, who heads the AOA, said there are 1,500 flats in the society and residents have been attacked by dogs in the past. “There are a number of residents who are senior citizens, and they are not comfortable when dogs are around. We have issued guidelines for the safety of residents. But the AOA is open for a discussion and we may make suitable/reasonable changes if pet lovers suggest,” he said. Uday Jain, former president of the AOA, said the directives were issued two weeks ago. “This was to ensure the safety of all people. The pet owners should handle them properly,” he said. The AWBI guidelines issued on February 26, 2015 say pets cannot be barred from the use of lifts and residents cannot be fined for this. The guidelines also say pets can be leashed but not muzzled in common areas.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/pet-rules-noida-condo-proposes-fines-up-to-rs-10000/articleshow/94187587.cms