In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court has nullified the recent directive issued by the Central government, which imposed a ban on the import, breeding, and sale of specific dog breeds categorized as “dangerous” by an expert committee under the Animal Husbandry Ministry.
The court emphasized that prior consultation with pet owners and relevant organizations should have been undertaken before enforcing such a sweeping ban. It highlighted the crucial responsibility of pet owners in ensuring the behavior and safety of their pets. Notably, the court underscored that pet owners would bear the financial burden in case their pets cause harm to others.
The Centre’s order, issued last month, targeted breeds such as Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, among others, citing their association with aggression and illegal fighting incidents. This move by the government came in response to a series of fatal attacks involving dogs.
Animal rights groups, including PETA India, had applauded the Centre’s initiative to safeguard vulnerable sections of society, particularly children and senior citizens, who are often victims of dog attacks. These groups, however, emphasized the necessity of curbing breeds that are trained for aggression and are commonly exploited in illegal activities like dog fighting.
