23 Ferocious Dog Breeds Banned in India: Ensuring Public Safety

In a significant move to ensure public safety, the central government has directed states and Union Territories (UTs) to ban the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs, including Pitbull Terrier, American Bulldog, Rottweiler, and Mastiffs. This directive aims to address the rising instances of pet dog attacks that have resulted in fatal incidents.

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Breeds Identified as Ferocious and Dangerous

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying issued a letter dated March 12 to chief secretaries of all states and UTs, outlining the breeds identified as ferocious and dangerous to human lives. These breeds include:

• 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 Dog
• Tornjak
• Sarplaninac
• Japanese Tosa and Akita
• Mastiffs
• Terriers
• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Wolf Dogs
• Canario
• Akbash Dog
• Moscow Guard Dog
• Cane Corso
• Bandog

Recommendations of Expert Committee

The decision to ban these breeds is based on the recommendations of an expert committee constituted by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The committee, chaired by the Animal Husbandry Commissioner and comprising members from various stakeholder organizations and experts, conducted a thorough assessment of the situation and identified the aforementioned breeds as posing a significant risk to human safety.

Prohibition on Import, Breeding, and Sale

In accordance with the expert panel's recommendations, the Centre has directed that the identified dog breeds, including crossbreeds, shall be prohibited for import, breeding, selling as pet dogs, and other purposes. Local bodies and state-level departments of animal husbandry have been instructed not to issue any license or permit for the sale and breeding of these banned dog breeds.

Existing Rules and Regulations

The Centre has already published the Prevention of Cruelty to the Animal Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules, 2017, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Pet Shop Rules, 2018. The implementation of these rules is vested in local bodies, state animal welfare boards, and the Department of Animal Husbandry.

The central government's directive to ban the sale and breeding of 23 ferocious dog breeds is a proactive measure to safeguard public safety. By implementing this ban, the government aims to prevent future incidents of dog attacks and ensure a safer environment for citizens across the country.