New Delhi: Eleven dogs of foreign breeds cannot be kept as pets, the Gurugram consumer forum said Tuesday, announcing a host of other measures that would protect “life, health and personal safety” of citizens.
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Gurugram, also directed the municipal corporation to enforce the rules with immediate effect, while granting Rs 2 lakh to a domestic staff who was attacked near the Civil Lines area in August.
The commission also directed the corporation to take into custody the pet dog which had attacked the woman.
Gurgaon: The district consumer disputes redressal forum in Gurgaon on Tuesday issued directions to the municipal corporation of Gurugram to ban pet dogs of 11 foreign breeds with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/p4NmC0CDhY
— Pavneet Singh Chadha 🚜 🌾 (@pub_neat) November 15, 2022
The forum also said one family could keep only one dog from now on.
The 11 banned dogs include American Pit bull terriers, Dogo Argentino, Rottweiler, Neapolitan Mastiff, Boerboel, Presa Canario, Wold Dog, Brandog, American bulldog, Fila Brasileiro and Cane Corso.
The civic body has been further directed to cancel the registration of these banned dogs and take them away.
According to LiveLaw, the municipal corporation was told that the registration of pet dogs was compulsory within one month. The registration fee would be Rs 12,000 a year with the renewal fee of Rs 10,000 every year.
The dog should also wear a collar to which a metal token, coupled with a metal chain, would be attached.
The forum also said registered dogs should be muzzled or their mouths covered with a net cap – to prevent untoward incidents of dog bites in public places.
The owner of the registered pet dog will also carry with him a dog waste bag and plucker to maintain hygiene and cleanliness in public places.
The violation of the above directions would result in taking full custody over the pet dog along with a heavy fine of Rs 20,000, extendable up to Rs 2 lakh.
Business analyst Ibadat Rai, 21, who owns four dogs, feels banning these breeds is not the solution.
“But putting restrictions on more ferocious dogs is fine as they tend to have more unpredictable behavior. This is justifiable in public places keeping in mind everyone’s safety,” she added.
Rai also feels amping up registration would be helpful. “Because then, people will think twice before getting a dog, and will rethink their responsibilities towards the animal. And will treat the animal better. There are many instances where people keep many dogs but neglect them and treat them poorly, leading them to act out or lash out. It is a good system because it will also keep illegal breeders at bay,” she said.
Delhi’s counselling psychologist Gianna Ghaswalla, 23, said the directives overlooked the issue of illegal breeders. “There’s a breed craze in Delhi and Gurgaon. Many people buy different breeds without knowing their temperaments and lifestyle. They buy these dogs for the fad and don’t know how to meet their needs later on. That’s why they go out of control,” the dog owner said. Gianna also works on adoption and re-homing of dogs in Delhi.
Residents of Gurgaon said on Twitter that the directives were “regressive and cruel”. Many worried about the possible separation of the pets and owners.
This ruling on the ban of dog breeds needs to be looked at. Banning dogs based on their breed is regressive. Put in stricter rules / fines etc to prevent these incidents from happening. Any dog irrespective of their breed can bite or attack someone. #Dogs #Gurgaon #DogAttack pic.twitter.com/xCBxqi4xvO
— Gareth. (@GarethEswin) November 17, 2022
@peta @AnimalRightsCom @PMOIndia @PMO_NaMo @Manekagandhibjp pls save the animals aganst the cruel & insane decision of #gurgaon court. Poor #dogs wil die after separatin 4m owners. Y is it becomin a punishmnt for havin & lovin a dog in this country!https://t.co/CfAEjBGJ8T
— Joan (@Joanofindia) November 16, 2022
Ghaswalla felt leashing and muzzling in public areas were quite extreme. She said people don’t put enough emphasis on training and educating dogs.
“But illegal breeding has proliferated for the lack of regulation,” she said, adding, “And that’s the issue.”
Also read: Greater Noida dog bite case: Dog owner fined Rs. 10,000, to pay for victim’s treatment