Growing concern persists in the country regarding dog bite incidents, especially following reports of attacks by powerful breeds such as pitbulls and Rottweilers, which intensifies discussions about regulations for keeping these animals. However, there is currently no unified national ban on these breeds across the entire country.
In 2024, the central government attempted to introduce restrictions on the sale, breeding, and keeping of certain dangerous breeds; however, this issue has reached a legal impasse due to judicial intervention.
A recent attack involving a pitbull in Patiala drew public attention. While visiting the home of prospective tenants, the pitbull emerged and attacked a couple who were ringing the doorbell. Despite attempts to save the people, the dog inflicted serious injuries on them in various parts of their bodies, requiring the victims to be hospitalized.
This incident occurred against a backdrop of numerous people annually becoming victims of dog bites in the country. According to central government data, 7.277 million bite cases were registered in 2019, 2.18 million in 2022, and 2.477 million by October 2023. Among this data, the main question concerning strong breeds like pitbulls is determining the necessary strictness of rules for their care and walking in public places.
Some experts and animal welfare organizations argue that solving the problem cannot be achieved solely by blaming a specific breed. Dog training, socialization, behavior, and owner responsibility are also extremely important. A person keeping a powerful breed is obliged to properly train the animal and adhere to safety rules in public areas. In case of negligence, the strength of such a breed can pose a serious threat to others.
Currently, India lacks a single national law regarding pitbulls. Different states, cities, and municipal bodies independently impose restrictions or establish strict rules for these breeds. For instance, bans on pitbulls and other dangerous breeds have been introduced in Ghaziabad due to the rise in dog attacks. Local rules related to the ban on pitbulls and Rottweilers are also in effect in Panchkula.
Furthermore, various levels of restrictions or strict rules for aggressive breeds, including pitbulls, have been established in Lucknow, Kanpur, Chandigarh, and Jharkhand. The primary reason for these local decisions is the incidence of dog attacks and ensuring public safety. However, due to the differences in rules across various locations, the public remains concerned about the lack of a unified policy nationwide.
In March 2024, the central government appealed to states and union territories to take measures to ban the sale, breeding, and keeping of approximately 23-24 breeds, including the pitbull. This initiative raised hopes for the introduction of a national ban on dangerous breeds. Nevertheless, this central government circular was challenged in court, altering the legal status of the entire matter, and the attempt to establish a unified national ban could not move forward.
In April 2024, the Delhi High Court annulled the central government's circular, ruling that objections and positions of interested parties must be considered before making such a decision. Subsequently, the Karnataka High Court also revoked the central government's circular, emphasizing the need for proper procedure and recommendations from a competent committee. These judicial decisions led to the issue of introducing a unified ban on pitbulls and other breeds across the country returning to a stalemate.
Many dog owners and activists opposing a complete ban on breeds like the pitbull argue that not all members of a breed should be considered dangerous. They believe the real problem lies in illegal breeding, preparing dogs for fights, improper training, and owner negligence. In 2024, many dog owners approached the center requesting a focus on curbing illegal breeding and punishing those who intentionally make dogs aggressive, rather than a complete breed ban.
Thus, the Patiala incident raises a serious question: how strict should the rules for keeping dogs like pitbulls be, given the constant threat of attacks and ongoing debates over regulations? While pet ownership can be a hobby, owning a powerful breed like a pitbull is not just a pastime but a major responsibility. The most important thing is to ensure that an owner's negligence does not endanger the life and safety of another person.
