Delhi HC Asks State Govt. to Take a Clear Stance on Dog Breeders

New Delhi: A bench of Acting Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela asked the Delhi government to file a status report regarding the action proposed to be taken against pet shop owners who have been in violation of the rules. 

"It is contended that there are no breeders in Delhi and therefore, no further action is required under the breeding rules." The bench expressed its reservations with this line of thinking, given the “broad definition of breeders” and directed the respondent to file an affidavit stating its stance on the existence of breeders in Delhi, and the steps taken to confirm the same. The Delhi government counsel submitted an exercise for the registration of pet shop owners that was undertaken and will be completed within 90 days. 

The registration itself would be followed by steps to ensure the rules are adhered to and if any pet shop owners were found to be in violation, strict action will be taken, regardless of whether the shops are registered or unregistered. 

While asking the Delhi government about the proposed action to take against the violators, the bench further asked it for an update on the registration exercise. The matter would be heard on May 7, 2025. 

The court is hearing a PIL seeking control on illegal dog breeding centres in Delhi. The court noted that despite the plea being pending for 6 years, and the rising incidents of dog bites in public, the animal husbandry department had not taken any steps to keep illegal dog breeding under control. It asked the animal husbandry department to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken so far and their plans for the future to curb illegal dog breeding.