New Delhi: Animal rights activists have emphasised the necessity for nuanced approaches to handle the foundation causes of dog-related incidents after the Centre directed states to ban the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs.
The central authorities has directed states to ban the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs, together with Pitbull Terrier, American Bulldog, Rottweiler and Mastiffs, amid rising cases of individuals dying as a consequence of pet canine assaults.
In response to the directive Geeta Seshamani, Vice President of Friendicoes SECA and secretary founding father of Wildlife SOS, raised considerations concerning the sweeping nature of the ban.
She highlighted the significance of accountable possession and coaching, emphasising that no canine is “inherently ferocious”.
“No canine is born ferocious. It is how they’re dealt with and educated that results in such mishaps. Each breed has its traits, its personal ranges of vitality and with out understanding the wants of huge breeds, merely in a need to amass a standing image, out of social snobbery, many individuals purchase such breeds however can not prepare them, deal with them responsibly or give them the nurturing and train and disciplining they want,” Seshamani instructed PTI.
She identified the unlucky penalties of breed generalisation, the place even well-behaved dogs could endure as a consequence of their breed’s popularity.
Seshamani’s sentiments have been echoed by Shaurya Agarwal, an Advocacy Research Associate at PETA India.
Agarwal applauded the federal government’s efforts to guard vulnerable canine breeds from exploitation by legal components, significantly in unlawful dog-fighting rings.
However, he emphasised the necessity for nuanced approaches to handle the foundation causes of dog-related incidents, relatively than blanket bans that will unfairly goal sure breeds.
“This order offers important safety for each people and dogs and sends a robust, clear message that Pitbulls and different such breeds are bred for use as weapons. Pitbulls and associated breeds are probably the most generally deserted dogs in India, and this motion will stop quite a lot of struggling,” he mentioned.
Agarwal recommended the federal government’s motion as a step towards stopping struggling amongst deserted dogs, significantly Pitbulls and associated breeds. They emphasised the significance of defending each people and animals from hurt, recognising the function of accountable possession and enforcement of anti-cruelty legal guidelines.
In a letter dated March 12 to chief secretaries of all states and UTs, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying additionally mentioned that these breeds of dogs, which have already been saved as pets, ought to be sterilised to forestall additional breeding.
Flagging critical recent problems with dying of human beings as a consequence of canine bites by some ferocious breeds of dogs saved as pets, the division mentioned it has obtained representations from residents, citizen boards and Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs) to ban among the breeds of dogs from holding them as pets and different functions.
(Published 15 March 2024, 10:02 IST)
