In a move to address the rising incidents of dog attacks, the Central government has asked the states to ban the import, breeding, and sale of certain ‘ferocious’ dog breeds.
The breeds include Rottweiler, Pitbull, Terrier, Wolf dogs, and Mastiffs, which are deemed to be dangerous for human life. The ban will also cover mixed and crossbreeds of these breeds. This decision comes after a committee of experts and animal welfare bodies submitted a report in response to an order by the Delhi High Court.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has sent a letter to the state authorities urging them to not issue licences or permits for the sale and breeding of these breeds, according to a report by The Times of India.
They have also emphasized the need for sterilising dogs of these breeds that are already kept as pets, to prevent further breeding.
The breeds identified for the ban are:
- Pitbull Terrier
- Tosa Inu
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Fila Brasileiro
- Dogo Argentino
- American Bulldog
- Boesboel
- Kangal
- Central Asian Shepherd Dog
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- South Russian Shepherd Dog
- Tornjak, Sarplaninac
- Japanese Tosa and Akita
- Mastiffs
- Rottweiler
- Terriers
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Wolf Dogs
- Canario
- Akbash
- Moscow Guard
- Cane Corso
In addition, the government has urged states to ensure the implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (dog breeding and marketing) Rules 2017 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (Pet Shop) Rules 2018 by the local bodies and state animal welfare boards.