Centre bans 23 ‘dangerous’ breeds of dogs in India, read list

New Delhi: In light of the increasing incidents of pet attacks, the central government has directed states to ban the sale and breeding of aggressive dogs of 23 breeds, including pitbull terriers, American bulldogs, Rottweilers, and Mastiffs.

Directives issued to states and union territories prohibit people from keeping these 23 dog breeds as pets. Moreover, the Center has also directed that owners of dogs of any of these breeds should not be allowed to breed them further.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying stated that it has received representations from citizens, citizens’ forums, and animal welfare organizations advocating for the banning of certain breeds of dogs for pet keeping and other purposes.

The panel identified 23 breeds of dogs, including mix and crossbreeds, that can prove to be aggressive and dangerous to human life.

Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Phila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentina, American Bulldog, Boarbowl Congal, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, and Caucasian Shepherd Dog are among the breeds sought to be banned by the Centre. Other breeds include South Russian Shepherd, Tornajack, Sarplaninac, Japanese Tosa and Akita, Mastiff, Terriers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Wolf Dog, Canario, Akbash Dog, Moscow Guard Dog, Cane Corso, and Bandog.

The letter cited the recommendations of the expert panel, stating that “The above breeds of dogs, including crossbreeds, will be banned for import, breeding, selling as pet dogs, and for other purposes.”