Pay for pets!

Dhaka South City Corporation has recently imposed an annual tax of Tk 500 per pet dog and Tk 1,000 for horses and deer -- drawing huge flak from animal rights activists and pet owners.

Animal experts have termed the move unacceptable, saying this will discourage people from adopting animals, especially the strays in desperate need of homes. 

According to a public notification, "City Corporation Model Tax Schedule, 2016", pet owners will have to pay the annual tax for each animal.

According to rights activists, many countries across the world have a licence fees on pets, which needs to be renewed every year. This fees ensures the pets' treatment and other welfare services. However, whether the tax in Bangladesh will ensure the same remains to be seen.

Issued on December 1, the DSCC notification said owners will have to pay an annual tax for each animal -- Tk 500 for a dog, and Tk 1,000 each for a deer or a horse. The owners will also have to pay 15 percent VAT. The DSCC requested pet owners to pay their taxes to the revenue department of the respective zones.

According to the statistics of the DSCC veterinary department, there are 128 registered pet dogs, 145 pet deer and 46 pet horses in the capital.

So far, owners of two dogs, 13 deer and nine horses have paid this tax.

Shahrin Arfa, a pet owner, said, "I am a student with two pet dogs. I manage food for them with the money I get for my tiffin. I even give some of that food to the stray dogs near my home. If I have to pay this tax, how will I afford the food for them? It's shameful that the government has imposed this tax."

Monowar Akhter Munia manages food, medication and treatment for her pets – 17 cats and a dog -- with her hard-earned money.

"I shelter a dog in my house as its physical condition would not allow it to survive outside. But such a move [imposing tax on pets] will discourage others like me, who just want to help the animals.

"Showing love and care for animals is a humanitarian work and many, including me, do it with their small earnings.

"Most Bangladeshis are still insensitive when it comes to taking care of animals. You might find maybe 10 percent of the population who actually care. Making these people pay tax for animals will only discourage others from caring for animals as well."

She added that the animals will ultimately be the ones to suffer.

Afzal Khan, widely known as Robin Hood -- The Animal Rescuer, said, "They are many ways for the government to levy taxes. This one [on animals] just should not have been imposed.

"Animals are a part of our society; every kind of animal is necessary for society to thrive. However, it is not possible for everyone to feed animals or keep them at home. If the government imposes a tax without providing proper support to animal lovers, it will be shameful."

Nadia Choudhury, who has worked extensively for animal rights, said they can see this move in two ways regarding the tax on dogs.

"Imposing this tax may reduce the import of foreign breed dogs or the commercial use of animals."

She, however, said the DSCC's definition of pet animals is not clear.

According to a study, it was found that 40 percent of Bangladeshi people keep their community dogs as pets.

"Thus, many 'pets' live outside the house," she said.

Regarding the tax on horses and deer, however, she said that according to the Wildlife Act 2012 and Animal Welfare Act 2019, a deer or horse cannot be confined.

"Many from the wealthy society keep such animals in their homes after obtaining licences. However, imposing this tax will validate the confinement of these animals, which will go against the acts."

Nadia further said, "Many people keep dogs and cats in their homes as [mental health] support systems. We need to think whether it is reasonable to suddenly impose this tax on them."

Tia Chowdhury, founder of Animal Rescuers Bangladesh, said, "I work for rescued dogs that are in critical condition. I can't keep many of them in the shelter and have to keep them with me at home for extra care. I need funding for their treatment and, ultimately, their survival and those funds are rare.

"If I have to now pay taxes for all those in my home, it will be impossible for me to keep doing the work I do. While I don't think it will be possible to follow through with this tax imposition, if they do [impose this tax], I will take them to court if need be. It is an outrageous decision with regard to strays and injured dogs."

Contacted, Shahjahan Ali, DSCC deputy chief revenue officer, said, "We have decided to impose the tax as per the Model Tax Schedule 2016. Though the circular was once already issued in 2016, it was not implemented.

"We are now issuing letters to owners of animals [horses, deer and dogs] in this regard."

He added that the corporation has five veterinary officers who will provide vet services to the pet owners. However, he could not confirm whether the services would be given free of cost.

"We have not finalised this yet."