The Central Government has urged all states and Union Territories to prohibit 23 breeds of 'aggressive dogs posing a threat to human safety'.

Subsequent to the Central government's commitment to the Delhi High Court in December 2023 to promptly address the request for discontinuing licenses for breeds of dogs deemed hazardous, this action has been initiated.

A statement released by Dr. OP Chaudhary, Joint Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, reveals that in light of multiple appeals from citizens, forums, and animal welfare organizations, along with the legal proceedings in the High Court, an Expert Committee was convened.

Led by the Animal Husbandry Commissioner and comprised of representatives from various stakeholder organizations and experts, the Committee has identified the following dog breeds as aggressive and hazardous to human safety:

1. Pitbull Terrier

2. Tosa Inu

3. American Staffordshire Terrier

4. Fila Brasileiro

5. Dogo Argentino

6. American Bulldog

7. Boerboel

8. Kangal

9. Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Ovcharka)

10. Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Ovcharka)

11. South Russian Shepherd Dog (Ovcharka)

12. Tornjak, Sarplaninac

13. Japanese Tosa,

14. Japanese Akita,

15. Mastiffs

16. Rottweiler

17. Terriers

18. Rhodesian Ridgeback

19. Wolf dogs

20. Canario Akbash dog

21. Moscow Guard dog

22. Cane Corso

23. Every dog of the type commonly known as Ban Dog (or Bandog)

The Committee has proposed that the listed dog breeds, including cross-breeds, should be banned from import, breeding, and sale as pet dogs or for any other purposes.

Consequently, the Committee has urged local authorities and the Department of Animal Husbandry to refrain from issuing any licenses or permits for the sale or breeding of these dog breeds. Additionally, ownership of these dog breeds will be prohibited. It has been clarified that dogs of these breeds already kept as pets will undergo sterilization to prevent further breeding.