23 dog breeds, from American Bull Dog to Pitbull Terrier, are now banned in India. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India. Citizens, citizen forums, and animal welfare organizations have come together asking for a ban on ferocious dog breeds that are dangerous to human life.
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Pit Bull attack in Ghaziabad
" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/fortaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Pit-Bull-attack-1.jpg?fit=300%2C168&ssl=1" class="size-full wp-image-2182" src="https://fortaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Pit-Bull-attack-1.jpg" alt="Pit Bull attack in Ghaziabad" width="300" height="168" /> Pit Bull attack in Ghaziabad (Image credit: Zee)
Attacks on Humans by Pet Dogs
These dog breeds have a history of attacks on humans and other animals. A 7-year-old girl in Delhi was almost mauled to death by an American Bull Dog on January 9, 2024, when she was playing along with her friends in Delhi, India. A boy was attacked in Ghaziabad by a Pit Bull, and he had 150 stitches on his face. In another incident, a Pit Bull kills another dog in front of its owner.
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Hindustan Times- American Bull Dog Attack
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In the wake of numerous incidents like this, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in Delhi court against asking for a ban and cancellation of licenses for ferocious dogs on October 5, 2023. Responding to the petition, The honourable Delhi High Court gave an order on December 6, 2023, that the Government of India, in consultation with all the stakeholders, shall decide on the PIL within 3 months.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Diarying, following the orders passed by the court, had set up an Expert Committee headed by the Animal Husbandry Commissioner, with members representing various organizations and experts. They have found the following 23 dog breeds to be ferocious and dangerous.
Banned Dog Breeds
"breeds (including mixed and crossbreeds), like
- Pitbull Terrier
- Tosa Inu
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Fila Brasileiro
- Dogo Argentino
- American Bulldog
- Boerboel
- Kangal
- Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Ovcharka)
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Ovcharka)
- South Russian Shepherd Dog (Ovcharka)
- Tornjak
- Sarplaninac
- Japanese Tosa and Akita
- Mastiffs (Boerbulls)
- 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 (or Bandog)."
The Committee said that all 23 breeds, with crossbreeds, should be prohibited for import, breeding, selling as pet dogs, and other purposes. The Department of Animal Husbandry or any local bodies in the states will not issue licenses or permit any sale or breeding of the dogs. The dogs already kept as pets by pet owners must be sterilized, immediately.