Fines set for dogs that bark more than six minutes in new Nairobi rules

Unusual friendship: Pet owners in Nairobi City County stand to incur costs following a new law against noisy animals. (PHOTO: KEVIN TUNOI/ STANDARD)

Did you know that keeping a dog aged over six months in your compound without a permit could land you in jail? Or that you could be slapped with a hefty fine?

A new law signed by Governor Evans Kidero requires pet owners to pay for a licence to keep them, failure to which they will have to pay a fine of Sh5,000 or face two months in jail.

The Act also provides that dogs barking for more than six minutes every hour will see their owners fined Sh5,000 for causing a disturbance. Within a period of 30 minutes, the dog is not allowed to make noise for more than three minutes, and not more than six consecutive minutes in an hour.

The permit will cost Sh2,000 annually, and an additional Sh1,000 for a special collar bearing the licence number and an inscription of the owner's name and address. The collar should be worn at all times.

"No person shall own or keep any dog above the age of six months within Nairobi City County unless such a person is in possession of a licence for the dog issued under this Act," reads the Nairobi City County Dog Control and Welfare Act.

Before the licence is issued for cats or dogs, pet owners should have met conditions such as well fenced premises to ensure that the pets do not stray. In the case of dogs, owners must have kennels for animals older than six months.

"A person shall not keep a dog if his or her premises are not properly and adequately fenced to keep such a dog inside when it is not on leash unless it is confined to the premises in some other manner, provided that such confinement is not inhumane," reads the Act.

Stray dogs without identification tags in the city will be impounded by the county government and owners will have to part with Sh5,000 on collection.

"Any dog not released or claimed within 11 days of having been received in the pound may either be sold, given away painlessly or destroyed under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon or a person authorised by the county," the Act adds.

The defunct City Council by-law had indicated that sheep, goats, cows, donkeys and horses found loitering in the streets or kept in backyards of living quarters would be confiscated because they posed a health hazard and were poorly maintained.

City residents have been rearing animals without licences besides posing health risks due to unhygienic conditions in which such animals are kept. Similarly, the residents do not take appropriate measures to ensure that the animals are free of diseases and pests.

There are no demarcated grazing fields in the city and in the past, animals have been left to wander, destroying trees and flower beds, and sometimes causing road accidents.

Last Friday, a Nakuru man was sentenced to one year in jail for neglecting his dogs, which authorities said posed a danger to residents.

Joana Adala, 34, was convicted after his dogs attacked four-year-old Suleiman Ndolo on his way to school in Kambi Turkana, Gilgil. The minor, who was in the company of his brother, was rushed to hospital before his parents reported the matter to Elementaita Police Station.