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Society says no pets allowed
What usually matters in this situation, and the papers to keep ready before you meet an advocate or free legal aid (call 15100).
Make my own list — free, 2 minutesYour situation
- What happened? My society wants to ban or charge for my pet
Where you stand
- In your favour The Animal Welfare Board of India has advised that societies cannot ban pets.
Do these now
- Written complaint to the Animal Welfare Board of India or your state animal welfare board
They can advise societies and authorities and follow up on cruelty. Where: awbi.gov.in or the state board.
Papers to gather
- Photos and video of the animal and the place, with date and time
The main proof. Where: Your phone; neighbours’ phones. - Names and numbers of witnesses
Supports the FIR. Where: People nearby. - Society notice, bylaw, fine or message about pets or feeding
Shows the restriction you are challenging. Where: Notice board, WhatsApp group, letters.
You may also need, depending on your answers
- FIR copy (ask for BNS section 325 if an animal was killed or maimed) — Starts the criminal case.
What the law says
Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 punishes killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal with up to 5 years’ imprisonment, fine, or both, and the police must register it. Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 makes beating, torturing or causing unnecessary suffering an offence (its fines are small, so ask that BNS s.325 be added where an animal is killed or maimed). Stray dogs are handled under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023: they are sterilised, vaccinated and returned to the same area, not relocated or killed; the Supreme Court’s stray-dog case (from 2025) also deals with feeding spots and dangerous dogs, so check your city’s current rules. The Animal Welfare Board of India has advised that housing societies cannot ban pets.
General information, not legal advice.
Saboot will also ask
- Which animal?
- Has it been reported to the police?
- Do you know who did it?
Similar situations
- Someone poisoned the street dogs
- Neighbour beats his dog
- Municipality taking away street dogs
- Stopped from feeding street animals
- Cattle abandoned or kept starving
- Someone hit and killed my pet with a vehicle
Sources
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 — section 11
- Animal Welfare Board of India (official site) — Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023
The full guide: Cruelty to animals — beating, poisoning, killing, or strays and pets troubled · All situations