Amidst legal challenges, the Animal Husbandry Department, led by Amirtha Jothi IAS, retracts ban on breeding, importing, and selling of 23 dog breeds in Tamil Nadu.
Coimbatore: Today, Amirtha Jothi IAS, Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, announced the withdrawal of a controversial statement regarding the ban on the breeding, importing, and sale of 23 foreign dog breeds. This decision comes after recognizing multiple court stays against the department's earlier issued circular.
Earlier, the Tamil Nadu Government had issued immediate mandates for the sterilization of these specific breeds and prohibited their import or sale. This was part of an effort to address the rising incidents of dog attacks in the state, including a notable case in Chennai where two Rottweiler dogs severely injured a young girl.
The breeds affected by this now-withdrawn order include Rottweilers and Pitbulls among others such as Tosa Inu, Fila Brasileiro, American Bulldog, Kangal, Caucasian Shepherd, various Mastiffs, and Terriers. Originally identified as high-risk for their aggressive tendencies, these breeds have been subject to intense debate regarding public safety hazards.
Coimbatore itself records approximately 11,000 dog bite cases annually at its Government Hospital. From 2012 to 2018, over 130,000 incidents have been documented in the city.
Following the now-rescinded directive, dog owners were to ensure that any of the listed breeds underwent compulsory sterilization surgeries. Additional mandates required the use of leashes and muzzles for these dogs in public spaces, detailed to match the dog’s body proportions and enhance control measures.
Addressing potential safety risks, these stringent regulations aimed to mitigate dangerous interactions in public spaces and manage the dogs’ aggressive behavior effectively. However, with the reversal of the ban, the government is likely to revisit its approach to managing the safety concerns posed by these particular dog breeds.