In response to the escalating incidents of dog attacks, the central government of India has suggested prohibiting 23 breeds of dogs deemed dangerous. The central government has communicated to the state governments, requesting them to outlaw the import, sale, and breeding of specific dog breeds, including Rottweilers, Mastiffs, and Pitbulls, as reported by Times of India. The prohibition would also extend to hybrid and crossbred dogs of these breeds.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, in its letter, advised state governments against granting licenses or permits for the sale and breeding of these dogs. It also recommended that current owners of these breeds should consider neutering or spaying their pets to avoid further breeding.
Here is the comprehensive list of the 23 dog breeds that the government intends to ban:
- 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
- Every dog of the type commonly known as a ‘Ban Dog’
The letter also underscored the concerns expressed by animal welfare organizations about the suitability of keeping certain breeds as pets. Alongside the recommendation on the 23 ‘ferocious’ breeds, the central government also urged state governments to enforce the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (dog breeding and marketing) Rules 2017 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (Pet Shop) Rules 2018.