New Delhi: The local army formation in the national capital has recommended that Delhi Cantonment residents should not keep five dog breeds as pets, in light of a Rottweiler attack on a child that reportedly took place in December 2021.
A circular dated 20 January issued by the Station Headquarters, Delhi Cantt, under the Delhi Sub Area, and accessed by ThePrint Friday, referred to the “ferocious attack” and recommended residents to not permit Rottweilers, Pitbulls, American Bulldogs, Bullmastiffs and German Shepherds in community spaces within the Cantt. area.
However, residents may be permitted to keep such dogs as pets in bungalows or independent houses in the area, as long as there is “a dog warning on [the] gate ensuring the pet does not move out of walled premises”.
Contrary to media reports Thursday, defence sources told ThePrint that the circular did not amount to a ban on keeping these dog breeds, but is a recommendation by the Station Headquarters to all RWAs of various residential colonies in the Delhi Cantonment.
The circular did not clarify what happens to existing dogs of these breeds in the cantonment. The defence sources said there are doubts regarding whether it is legal to implement such recommendations, and made it clear that this was not an order of the India Army, but issued by the local formation, which in this case is the Delhi Sub Area.
‘Dog was being handled by military buddy’
“On Dec 29, 2021, five-year-old son of an army officer staying in Pratap Chowk, was attacked by a dog (Rottweiler breed) of another serving officer staying in the same locality. The attack was so ferocious and brutal that the face and head of his son were injured badly with serious lacerations 6-7 cm wide,” the circular stated.
The circular also revealed that the Rottweiler in the incident in question was not being handled by the owner at the time of attack, but by the military buddy (a jawan attached to an officer), which goes against advisories issued previously by the Station Headquarters.
“No military buddies to be utilised for such menial jobs. In case violation is found, then the CMP [Corps of Military Police] report is to be generated and in occurrence of guilty, the pet dog is recommended to be moved out of the military area,” the 20 January circular stated.
The circular also added that all pet dogs must be vaccinated, a Remount Veterinary Corps representative must assess its “severity/ferocity”, and the dog must be “properly leashed” outdoors.
(Edited by Poulomi Banerjee)
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