Pune: The Pune Forest Department has recently declared a strict curb on visitors bringing pets to the hilly area of NIBM in Pune.

District forest officer Rahul Patil also stated that some pets are a direct threat to the biodiversity of forests and owners will be fined and cases will be lodged against them. People now will not be allowed to bring their pets for walks or any other activity in the forest areas. He also informed that pets such as dogs are completely banned from the forests areas. If any people seen flouting the law will be penalised.

Earlier, the forest department took stringent action against those who visited Vetal tekdi with their pets. Another hill in Pune, Taljai also witnessed many morning walkers venturing around with their pets.

After a police officer was bitten by an unchained dog inside the NIBM forest premises, some people recently also complained about the threats they received from some animal rights groups. Many people including members from the civil society stated that they all have constitutional rights to lodge complaints against the misbehaving pet owners who are failing to follow the rules.

The citizens’ groups also said that the FIR must be lodged against those whose pets are causing the threat. On the other side, pet lovers have called the action as a desecration of animal rights.