List of Banned Dog Breeds in India with Causes and Consequences

Taming the Tides: Combating the Threat of Dangerous Dog Breeds for Public Safety in India.

Recently a list of banned dog breeds in India with causes is issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India on 12th March 2024.

Dr. O.P. Chaudhary, Joint Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi has written a letter to the Chief Secretaries of All the States and Union Territories in India regarding the ban of some of the breeds of dogs to keep them as pets and for other purposes.

Now, before keeping dogs as pets, we all should know which dog breed we can own or which not.

List of Banned Dog Breeds in India

The Expert Committee and Its Recommendations

An Expert Committee was constituted by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Chairmanship of the Animal Husbandry Commissioner with members from the various stakeholder organizations and experts.

The Committee has provided the following recommendations -

• These banned dog breeds including cross breeds will be prohibited from import, breeding, selling as pet dogs, and other purposes.
• The Local Bodies and the Department of Animal Husbandry will not issue any license or permit for the sale, keeping, or breeding of banned dog breeds.
• The Local Bodies should also issue necessary guidelines to implement these recommendations.
• The dogs on this list already kept as pets should be sterilized to prevent further breeding.
• The Local Bodies, the State Animal Welfare Board, and the Department of Animal Husbandry should implement the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (Dog breeding and marketing) Rules, 2017, and Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018.

Causes Of Banning Few Dog Breeds in India

The Committee has explained the following reasons behind the banning of some dog breeds in India -

• Recently, serious issues of the death of human beings due to dog bites by some ferocious breeds of dogs kept as pets have been noticed in India.
• Various citizens, citizen forums, Animal Welfare Organizations, etc. are demanding to ban some of the breeds of dogs kept as pets and for other purposes.
• The Hon'ble High Court of Delhi has ordered on 06.12.2023 to ban some of the dog breeds within 3 months in reply to a Writ Petition No. 15673/2023 titled "The Legal Attorneys & Barristers Law Firm vs UOI & Ors".

List of Banned Dog Breeds in India

The Committee has identified some breeds of dogs as ferocious and dangerous for human life. Following 24 breeds (including mixed and cross breeds) and every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog).

1. Akbash dog
2. American Bulldog
3. American Staffordshire Terrier
4. Boerboel
5. Canario
6. Cane Corso
7. Caucasian Shepherd Dog (ovcharka)
8. Central Asian Shepherd Dog (ovcharka)
9. Dogo Argentino
10. Fila Brasileiro
11. Japanese Akita
12. Japanese Tosa
13. Kangal
14. Mastiffs (Boer bulls)
15. Moscow Guard dog
16. Pitbull Terrier
17. Rhodesian Ridgeback
18. Rottweiler
19. Sarplaninac
20. South Russian Shepherd Dog (ovcharka)
21. Terriers
22. Tornjak
23. Tosa Inu
24. Wolf dogs

Consequences of Banning Few Dog Breeds in India

• No one can keep, breed, sell, or import banned dogs in India, whether, it is his/her/their favorite breed.
• The Government and other bodies must build strict rules and implement them effectively for public safety.
• The high courts of Karnataka and Rajasthan have given a stay against this rule, hence the ban on these dog breeds is not effective until further orders in the Karnataka and Rajasthan states.

Conclusion

Recently, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, issued a list of banned dog breeds in India along with their causes. Dr. O.P. Chaudhary, Joint Secretary of the Department, penned a letter to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories regarding this matter. An Expert Committee, chaired by the Animal Husbandry Commissioner, recommended prohibiting the import, breeding, and sale of these breeds, with guidelines for implementation. The banning of certain dog breeds stems from incidents of human fatalities due to dog bites, public demand, and a court order. The identified breeds, deemed ferocious and hazardous, include Akbash dog, American Bulldog, Rottweiler, and others. The consequences entail strict regulations against keeping, breeding, or importing banned dogs, necessitating the government's and other authorities' robust rule enforcement efforts.

We can pave the way for a safer, more harmonious coexistence between humans and our beloved canine companions through concerted efforts.

FAQs

Q: Why are certain dog breeds banned in India?

Certain dog breeds are banned in India due to incidents of human fatalities caused by dog bites, public demand for stricter regulations, and court orders to address safety concerns.

Q: Which department oversees the ban on dog breeds in India?

The ban on dog breeds in India falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.

Q: What are the consequences of keeping banned dog breeds in India?

The consequences of keeping banned dog breeds in India include legal penalties, such as fines and confiscation of the dog, as well as the risk of endangering public safety and facing civil liability for any harm caused by the dog.

Q: Can individuals apply for exemptions to keep banned dog breeds in India?

No, individuals cannot apply for exemptions to keep banned dog breeds in India. The ban applies uniformly to all individuals and entities within the country.

Q: How can I ensure compliance with the ban on dog breeds in India?

To ensure compliance with the ban on dog breeds in India, individuals should refrain from owning, breeding, selling, or importing banned dog breeds. Additionally, they should familiarize themselves with the list of banned breeds and report any violations to the appropriate authorities.

Q: In which states ban on dog breeds is not effective?

In Karnataka and Rajasthan.

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