Centre Informs Bombay HC that Ban on import and Sale of 23 Dog Breeds Won’t be Enforced

Mumbai: The Central Government informed the Bombay High Court that it would not enforce the circular issued in March 2024, which had declared a ban on 23 Dog Breeds deemed to be “dangerous and ferocious”. The ban included a curb on the import, breeding, and sale of such dog breeds. 

In its circular dated March 12, 2024, the Central Government instructed the secretaries of all states and union territories to not issue licenses to such dogs, nor any permits for the sale, breeding, or rearing of dog breeds branded “dangerous for human life”. It also directed people who owned any such breed as pets to sterilise them immediately.

The division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati H Dangre was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by NGO Animal Rescue Trust through animal rights activist Vineeta Tandon, who challenged the notification on the grounds of non-consultation with stakeholders and the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) before making such a decision. 

The circular referred to breeds (including mixed and cross breeds) such as Rottweiler, Pitbull Terrier, American Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier, Dogo Argentino, South Russian Shepherd Dog (Ovcharka), and wolf dogs, besides every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog).

The lawyer representing the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying stated that it had issued a public notice on May 2, 2024 seeking objections to the said notification and it will take a suitable decision after considering the objections.