A lavish apartment in Bengaluru city of India is charging over PKR 30,000 for keeping a pet.
A rule imposed by a Resident Welfare Association (RWA) in Bengaluru has faced significant criticism from pet owners, animal rights activists, and social media users.
This rule which applies to pet parents in the Ittina Mahavir apartment complex located in the Electronic City area requires them to deposit a refundable amount of INR10,000 (approx Rs33,700) per pet for keeping animals within the complex.
As per reports, the deadline for depositing this money is set for November 15, and failure to comply will result in a INR100 fine per day starting from November 16.
The deposited amount is intended to be used for the treatment of pet bite victims and other pet-related maintenance work.
This controversial apartment rule has sparked strong reactions on the internet.
One user humorously commented, "Charging INR10,000 for keeping a pet? Perhaps they're funding a secret space program."
Another user remarked, "Wow, INR10,000 just to keep a pet? I guess they want to make sure only the most high-end fur babies are allowed in!"
Meanwhile, an official from Municipal Corporation Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has deemed the move "illegal."
An officer from the civic body's animal husbandry wing, speaking to The Times of India, stated, "Charging for keeping pets in houses is illegal. No RWA can collect the fee, calling it 'maintenance for pets.' Government hospitals and even BBMP-affiliated hospitals provide free treatment for dog bite victims, who also receive a compensation of INR2000 for a dog bite. In such cases, how can any private entity levy such a fee on the residents?"
