Today(on 1st April),The Delhi High Court has expressed concerns over a Central Government circular that prohibits certain dog breeds’ sale, breeding, and ownership due to perceived risks to human life. Justices Manmohan and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora have instructed authorities to provide original documents for deeper examination during the next hearing.
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NEW DELHI: Today(on 1st April), The Delhi High Court has raised concerns regarding a circular issued by the Central Government, which bans the sale, breeding, and ownership of certain dog breeds that are deemed “dangerous for human life.” This directive, driven by an increased worry about human fatalities and injuries resulting from dog attacks, encompasses a wide range of breeds that are considered hazardous.
A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, on March 22, instructed the concerned authorities to present the original documents related to the circular for a more in-depth examination during the next hearing.
The contentious circular, issued on March 12 by Dr. OP Chaudhary, the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, was dispatched to chief secretaries across all states and Union Territories. It specifically names a variety of dog breeds, including Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, and Rottweiler, among others, citing them as particularly “ferocious” and a threat to human safety.
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The circular states-
“The Committee has advised the prohibition of the listed dog breeds, encompassing crossbreeds, from import, breeding, sale as pets, and other purposes. Consequently, local bodies and the Department of Animal Husbandry are urged to refrain from issuing licenses or permits for the sale or breeding of these specified dog breeds, and their possession shall be prohibited. Local bodies are also encouraged to issue implementation guidelines accordingly. However, existing pet dogs must undergo sterilization to prevent further breeding.”
Originating from recommendations by an expert committee under the Animal Husbandry Commissioner, which included various stakeholders and specialists, the circular aims to mitigate risks associated with these breeds.
The Canine Welfare Organisation, challenging the circular through a public interest litigation petition, argues that the circular lacks a transparent explanation or scientific basis for categorizing certain breeds as hazardous.
“The circular under scrutiny does not offer any explanation from the purported Executive Committee regarding the selective inclusion of specific breeds in a generic ban on certain dog breeds.”
– the petition asserts.
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It further criticizes the arbitrary classification of these breeds as “dangerous for human life” without substantial research, data, or rationale.
Emphasizing the lack of clear criteria or principles under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act for defining a breed as dangerous, the plea calls into question the central government’s methodology for identifying these breeds. The petitioner contends that this “pick-and-choose mechanism” lacks a justifiable foundation, urging a reevaluation of the directive.
The upcoming review of the matter on April 9.
