In a move to address the rising cases of aggressive dog attacks across the country—especially on children and the elderly (in some cases leading to death) —the Centre on Wednesday imposed a ban on the import, sale, and breeding of 23 “ferocious” dog breeds considering them to be a “threat to human life”.
Among the breeds that are deemed hazardous to human life include Rottweiler, Pitbull, Terrier, Wolf dogs, Russian Shepherd, and Mastiffs. Crossbreeds and mixed breeds of these vicious types are also prohibited.
In response to a Delhi High Court ruling, a joint team of specialists and animal welfare organizations produced a report that prompted the action. The union government was ordered by the court to make a decision on the subject within three months after engaging with all relevant parties.
In an effort to secure the implementation of the prohibition, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has additionally written to the chief secretaries of the states and Union territories.
According to the letter, the import of such dog breeds is also recommended to be prohibited by the expert committee formed under the chairmanship of the commissioner of Animal Husbandry.
The list of banned dog breeds includes —Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American bulldog, Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, South Russian Shepherd, Tornjak, Sarplaninac, Japanese Tosa and Akita, Mastiffs, Rottweiler, Terriers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Wolf dogs, Canario, Akbash dog, Moscow Guard dog, Cane Corso, and every dog of the type commonly known as a ‘Ban Dog’.
“…the above dog breeds, including crossbreeds, shall be prohibited for import, breedings, selling as pet dogs and other purposes,” the letter said, quoting the recommendations of the expert panel.
The execution of the 2018 Pet Shop Rules and the 2017 Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules has also been demanded by the national government.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, an organization that advocates for animal rights, has already asked the government to safeguard both human safety and susceptible canine breeds that are frequently used as props by criminal sections of society for the purpose of dogfighting. Additionally, PETA petitioned the Delhi High Court by writ.
The PETA in its petition wrote: “This order is key toward providing vital protection for both humans and dogs and sends a strong, clear message that pit bulls and other such breeds are bred to be used as weapons. Pit bulls and related breeds are the most commonly abandoned dogs in India, and this action can prevent a great deal of suffering.”
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