Plea before Karnataka High seeks directions to dog owners to carry biodegradable excreta bags when out with pet dogs

The Karnataka High Court has sought the response of the State government and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on a plea seeking directions to dog owners to carry biodegradable excreta bags while taking their pet dogs to public parks [CUPA vs State of Karnataka].A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum was hearing a plea filed by Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), an animal welfare organisation. The plea said that on August 24, 2020, the Karnataka government had issued a circular to Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Apartment Owners Associations, pet owners and animal lovers to ensure that their pet is always on leash while outside the house and to always clean up after their pet, if it defecates in public places..However, very few people adhere to these norms, said the plea. There is an increasing lack of responsibility displayed by some pet owners, who refuse to carry disposable waste bags or make other appropriate arrangements to pick up the their pets’ excreta, the petitioner pointed out. .In fact, this attitude of pet owners has resulted in certain public parks imposing an absolute pet ban on entry of pets inside the park premises, the plea said.Even the BBMP has failed to enforce the State government order dated August 24, 2020, the plea added. "Therefore, it is essentially the duty of the Second Respondent (BBMP) to ensure the cleanliness of parks and as such, to also penalise persons who leave the excreta of their dogs unattended in such parks, in flagrant violation of the GoK Pet Guidelines. Accordingly, the Second Respondent must make it mandatory for pet owners who wish to bring their pets into public parks to carry “poop bags” along with them. Poop bags, that are specifically compostable and biodegradable, and not plastic covers and newspapers," the petition said..Once cleanliness is made a mandatory prerequisite, the BBMP should permit access of all pets in public parks, it was submitted."To increase tolerance and compassion for animals, it is essential to permit them in public spaces as it fosters harmony, through responsible pet parenthood and cooperation. Presently, there isn’t a single park other than the Sunday dog park in Cubbon Park that is designated for this purpose," the plea further said..In this regard, the petition sought a direction to BBMP to enforce provisions of BBMP Solid Waste Management Bylaws, 2020 and the August 24 circular mandating pet owners to carry biodegradable excreta bags in public parks..The plea also sought access to pets in all public parks as long as pet owners leash their dogs and carry biodegradable bags with them.