Delhi High Court Rejects Plea Seeking Ban On Keeping 'Dangerous' Dog Breeds As Pets

The Delhi High Court refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on and the cancellation of licenses for keeping "dangerous" dog breeds like pitbulls, terriers, American bulldogs, and rottweilers. The court, headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, advised the petitioner, Legal Attorneys & Barrister Law Firm, to first address their concerns with government authorities rather than directly approaching the court.

"This is a wrong trend in PILs. This is a policy decision," said the bench. 

"Before filing, you make a representation to the government that this is my grievance but you have come straight to the court. You have to make a representation first," the court told the petitioner's lawyer as reported by news agency PTI. 

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In their PIL, the petitioner argued that breeds such as bulldogs, rottweilers, pitbulls, terriers, Neapolitan Mastiffs, and others are considered "dangerous dogs" and are banned in more than 12 countries, including India. However, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi was allegedly registering them as pets, despite incidents of these breeds attacking people, including their owners.

"lt is the need of the hour to ban and cancel the license to keep such dogs as Pitbull, Terriers, American bulldogs, Rottweiler, Japanese Tosa, Bandog, Neapolitan Mastiff, Wolf Dog, Boerboels, Presa Canario, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino and cross breeds of above-mentioned dogs," the petition said.

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The petitioner contended that it is the responsibility of both the Central and state governments to act as a welfare state and take preemptive measures to protect citizens from the risk of major dog bite incidents involving these "dangerous dogs."