Limit on the number of dogs and cats per household

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will implement a new policy to regulate the number of domesticated cats and dogs in the city.

Surachit Phongsinghvithya, chairman of Bangkok Council, said on Saturday that the council recently approved an amendment to its regulation on pet ownership and release.

The amendment will be submitted to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt for publication in the Royal Gazette. The regulation will take effect 360 days after the announcement, he stated.

Napapol Jirakul, a council member representing Bangkok’s Noi district and chairman of the special committee overseeing the change, said the amendment aims to limit the number of dogs and cats per household to maintain public health, prevent disease and reduce infections. Discomfort in Bangkok.

“Bangkok will be divided into zones to control the number of dogs and cats owners can have, based on their living area,” he said.

For a condo unit or rental space of 20 m² to 80 m², the BMA will allow one or two pets.

For houses or units larger than 80 m²-200 m², owners can have up to three pets. Properties from 200 m² to 400 m² can have up to four pets, while spaces larger than 400 m² allow up to six pets.

The regulation also places special restrictions on certain dog breeds, including pit bull terriers, bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, Rottweilers and Fila Brasileiro. Owners of these breeds must obtain a special permit.

The regulation also prohibits breeding dogs and cats in public places or on another person’s property without permission.

Additionally, every pet owner must have their pets microchipped according to Bangkok’s identification criteria for pet ownership.

Violators may face penalties under the Public Health Act 1992 and its amendments.

Fines can reach up to 10,000 baht and owners could face up to a month in prison if their dog bites another person or another person’s pet. If a dog barks loudly and causes a public nuisance, the owner can face a maximum penalty of one month in prison and a fine of 10,000 baht.

The BMA estimates that 198,682 dogs and cats live in the capital, including 53,991 owned dogs, 8,945 stray dogs, 115,821 owned cats and 19,925 stray cats.

The BMA Health Department operates a mobile veterinary unit to provide stray animal sterilization services in each area to reduce the number of stray animals. Aggressive dogs will be taken to the Bangkok Dog Control and Shelter, located in the Prawet district.

“By enforcing this regulation, the problem of pets and stray animals causing disturbances in Bangkok will be addressed, making the city safer for everyone and placing greater responsibility on pet owners to properly care for their pets.” , said.