The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), on Tuesday (November 25, 2025), told the Madras High Court it is not mandatory for pet owners to muzzle their dogs whenever they are taken to public places for walking or other purposes and that the civic body had only issued an advisory to that effect.
Appearing before Justice V. Lakshminarayanan who was seized of a writ petition filed by the NGO ‘People for Cattle in India’ which complained that breeds such as Bulldogs could not be muzzled, GCC counsel A. Arun Babu said, no pet parent would be fined for not muzzling the dogs.
Chennai Corporation warns pet owners against taking out dogs without collars, leashes, muzzles
The counsel, assisted by GCC Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) J. Kamal Hussain, said, only leashing of the pet dogs in public places had been made mandatory since it was meant for protection of the general public and that those who let their pets loose without a leash would be fined ₹500.
The court was also informed that so far 82,000 online applications had been received for licensing of pet dogs in the city limits and that 35,348 pets had been vaccinated and certified. The counsel said, the last date for obtaining licences was flexible. It had now been extended till December 7.
