Pet Owner Takes Housing Society to Court Over Blind Dog’s Lift Ban in Mumbai
A 51-year-old businessman, Ashish Goyal, has launched a legal battle against the managing committee of his Lower Parel residential building, filing a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court. The dispute centers on a rule barring his blind dog, Ozzy, from using any of the three lifts available to residents, a decision Goyal claims violates animal rights and existing laws.
Goyal resides on the 22nd floor of the Era-2 building within the Marathon Era cooperative housing society on Ganpatrao Kadam Marg. The society, comprising four 36-story towers with 229 flats, shares common facilities including lifts, lobbies, and parking areas. The conflict began on January 14, 2024, when a society member blocked Goyal from entering a lift with Ozzy, citing a policy that prohibits pets from using the elevators designated for residents.
According to Goyal, the managing committee’s regulations and associated penalties contradict guidelines from the Animal Welfare Board of India, a statutory body tasked with protecting animal rights. He argues that the society’s policy also breaches the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, asserting that no internal rule should override national laws. Represented by advocate Siddh Vidya, Goyal’s PIL seeks to uphold the rights of pets and challenge what he describes as an overreach by the housing society.
Vidya emphasized broader systemic issues, “Even though laws and rules exist to safeguard animal rights, they are rarely enforced.” The case highlights a growing tension between pet owners and housing societies in Mumbai, where restrictive policies often clash with legal protections for animals.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Humane Society International, which reported a decline of 5,000 stray dogs in the city, underscoring ongoing debates about animal welfare in urban spaces. Goyal’s legal action could set a precedent for how residential societies balance community rules with the rights of pet owners and their animals.
As the Bombay High Court prepares to hear the PIL, the outcome may influence policies across Mumbai’s numerous housing societies, where pet-related disputes are increasingly common. For now, Goyal remains determined to fight for Ozzy’s access to the lifts, framing his case as a stand for animal rights in the face of what he calls an unjust restriction.