In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court has invalidated a circular issued by the central government that sought to ban 23 breeds of dogs deemed ‘ferocious’ and dangerous to human life. The court cited a lack of stakeholder consultation, particularly with groups representing pet owners, in the decision-making process.
The ruling, delivered by Justice M Nagaprasanna, emphasized that proper consultations with experts and stakeholders are essential before implementing such bans. The court highlighted that the central government’s ban was imposed without recommendations from a properly constituted committee and without hearing from relevant stakeholders.
The court’s order stated that the circular exceeded the scope outlined in Animal Birth Control Rules and deemed it contrary to the law, warranting its annulment. Justice Nagaprasanna stressed the necessity of including organisations certifying dog breeds and animal welfare groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in future consultations regarding pet ownership regulations.
The court’s decision came in response to a joint petition filed by a professional dog handler and a Rottweiler owner, challenging the lack of consultation and the arbitrary nature of the ban. The petition argued against singling out specific breeds as aggressive, attributing any incidents of aggression to factors like training and socialization rather than inherent breed characteristics.
Representing the petitioners, advocate Swaroop Anand P argued before the High Court, while Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamat represented the central government. The scrapped circular, issued without prior consultations, aimed to prohibit breeds like Pitbull Terriers, Tosa Inus, American Bulldogs, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, and Terriers.
Sources By Agencies