On Tuesday, the Punjab government denied reports that suggested the government was planning on taxing those keeping pets in urban areas. It said that such reports were totally “baseless”.
Earlier in the day, reports quoting a government notification claimed that citizens of Punjab who want to keep pets will have to pay taxes on them.
It was reported that possession of dogs, cats, horses, cows, buffaloes would be taxable as per the notification issued by the Department of Local Administration headed by Navjot Singh Sidhu. These new laws will apply to all urban local bodies in Punjab.
ANI reported taxes imposed on the pet owners would fall under two categories — Rs 250 per annum for having a dog, cat, pig, sheep, deer and other small animals; and Rs 500 per annum for buffalo, bull, camel, horse, cow, elephant and other big animals.
“Branding Code” or Microchip For Each Animal
As per the notice, a "branding code" would have been allocated to each animal, which would serve as a unique identification mark/number.
The alternative to the “branding code” would be a microchip that could also be implanted in the animal, the report added.
‘Owner’s Registration Can be Cancelled’
Earlier reports had suggested the owner in Punjab would have to take a licence from the authorities to keep a pet. It also said that the licence needs to be renewed every year.]
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