2 days ago
Third time lucky? PMC picks plot in Kharadi for city's first dog park, pet parents hope plan sticks
Pune: A plot in Kharadi will most probably be home to a dedicated dog park. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has identified the spot after it announced the facility in March 2023. Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation opened its first dog park last Jan.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
PMC proposed the dog park to reduce human-canine conflicts across the city. The earlier two spaces, one next to Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj and the other in Aundh, fell through.
Central Zoo Authority (CZA) denied permission for the Katraj spot citing legal provisions that mandates every zoo to take measures to prevent the entry of domestic livestock, stray animals and pets. The civic body's health department, which also handles the veterinary section, then identified the Aundh plot but it was allocated to another department.
Sarika Funde, head of PMC's veterinary section, said that they have been promised space for the dog park in Kharadi at a recent amenity space meeting but more details were not known.
She added that they have been trying to find a place where many pet parents live so that the dog park benefits them.
"We had to change two locations, but we hope to get this land. There has been good response from the residents of the area. They want Pune's first dog park near their homes.
There are a few rules— all dogs must be vaccinated and de-wormed and must be on a leash at all times. Pet lovers will find it a suitable place. Some amenities within the park like the swimming pool could be chargeable, the walking track and other recreational amenities would be free of charge," she said.
Kharadi-based pet parent Simran Raghatwan said, "We hope PMC is serious this time about the dog park. There are so many people with pets these days and dog parks add more recreational space to a city. This will reduce the frequently reported human-dog conflict. PMC must also ensure that the park is not misused and pet parents are held responsible if they do not pick up after their dogs."
