Tax fears stop WB pet owners from opening up during livestock census | India News

KOLKATA: The state animal resources development department is conducting a survey on domesticated animals in Bengal for the Centre’s 21st livestock census across the country.
Several pet owners in Kolkata and suburbs are reportedly hiding their furry babies from the prying eyes of the census, according to officials who are facing challenges in conducting the survey.They are seeking help from civic and urban municipal bodies to pre-empt resistance or reluctance by pet owners. The officials lamented that several people are reluctant to reveal their ownership of pets, mostly pedigree dogs, for fear of any additional tax burden being imposed on them.
The survey began on Sept 1 and is conducted by the Centre in all states at an interval of every five years. It also includes pet dogs and cats along with other domesticated animals.
Although the survey was supposed to be concluded in Bengal on Dec 31, the deadline has been extended until Feb, Utpal Kumar Karmakar, MD of West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation, said.
“We have already started corresponding with local municipal bodies, including Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, about the census,” an official of the state animal resources development department said.