23 March,2011 06:31 AM IST | | Akela
Issues directive to keep tabs on all breeders who sell newborn puppies for huge profit
The Rs 500-crore pet dog business has come under the scanner of the Income Tax department.
The I-T department headquarters, New Delhi, has issued fresh directives to all its regional offices to keep tabs on all dog breeders who sell newborn puppies for huge profits.
All pet shops and known dog breeders are now under the surveillance of sleuths.
A senior I-T officer said, "Most canines of good lineage are sold at exorbitant prices and without any receipts. Some of the deals even run into crores."
According to the I-T directive (copy available with MiD DAY), it has been noticed in recent years that pet shops have spread rampantly across the major cities.
These shops are technically licensed to sell animal food and accessories, but they also deal in canines and exotic birds to make a quick buck.
The order stated that it is suspected that a majority of these transactions are outside the tax net, so appropriate action should be taken against them.
Senior I-T officials, including Chief Commissioner P P Shrivastava, however, are tight-lipped about the directive and how they plan to crack down on the tax evaders.
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According to I-T sources, the demand for exotic dogs increased after a cellular company used a pug in its advertisements.
According to sources, a 45-day-old pug is priced at more than Rs 40,000 in the open market.
Pet dealers at Crawford Market told MiD DAY that a Cocker Spaniel puppy is priced around Rs 7,000.
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"Pet dealers are not sensitive to the health of the animals as they are more concerned about making money. Breeding is done regularly. This should be banned," said Dr J C Khanna, member, Animal Welfare Board of India.
500 breeders
According to a modest estimate, there are more than 500 commercial dog breeders in Mumbai, Thane and Vasai. There are an estimated 7,000 such breeders across the country.
Dog breeding is a flourishing business in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Chennai as well. The turnover is estimated to be around Rs 500 crore.
The volume of the business can be gauged from the fact that even a fake certificate to prove the breed of canine fetches between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000 on the streets of Mumbai.u00a0
But, all dog breeders are not tax evaders. Mayur Shinde, owner of Shinde Kennel, Pune, said, "Dog breeding and selling is my full-time business. I give genuine receipts and also pay income tax regularly."
Procedure to buy a puppy
Before buying a puppy, it is necessary to get a licence from the respective municipality. BMC charges only
Rs 100 as fees and Rs 200 for vaccine per year. The seller should be registered with theu00a0Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).
