In response to reported fatalities caused by bites from ferocious breeds of dogs kept as pets, the Union government's Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has decided to prohibit the import, breeding, and sale of certain breeds. These breeds, certified as dangerous by an expert committee, include Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian Sheepdog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, South Russian Shepherd Dog, Tornjak, Sarplaninac, Japanese Tosa, Akita, Mastiff (Boerboel), Rottweiler, Terriers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Wolf Dogs, Canario, Akbash, Moscow Guard Dog, Cane Corso, and every type of dog commonly known as Ban Dog or Bandog.
The decision comes after numerous petitions from citizens' groups urging the government to ban these ferocious breeds. Additionally, the Delhi High Court directed the Centre to address the issue after consulting stakeholders. In compliance with the court order, the department formed an expert committee, chaired by the commissioner of animal husbandry, to identify dangerous dog breeds.
Following the committee's recommendations, the department issued a directive to all states, instructing them to enforce the ban and prevent the import, breeding, and sale of the specified breeds. Local bodies, particularly municipal bodies, have been tasked with ensuring the implementation of these guidelines.
While the ban applies solely to pet dogs of prohibited breeds, the issue of stray dogs, which are responsible for a higher number of human deaths, remains unaddressed. However, the directive mandates that dogs already kept as pets must be sterilized to comply with the ban.
The decision reflects the government's commitment to public safety and addresses concerns raised by citizens regarding the risks associated with certain dog breeds.