Will decide on demand to ban dangerous dog breeds in three months: Central government to Delhi High Court

The Central government on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that it will expeditiously take a decision on the demand for a ban on licences to keep breeds of dogs considered to be dangerous..After the government assurance, the Bench of acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna disposed of a petition calling for a ban on such breeds.As per the petition moved by The Legal Attorneys & Barristers Law Firm, dangerous breeds include Pitbull, Terrier, American Bulldog, Rottweiler, Japanese Tosa, Bandog, Neapolitan Mastiff, Wolf Dog, Boerboel, Presa Canario, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino and cross breeds of these dogs..At the outset, counsel representing the Union of India submitted that a decision would be taken as expeditiously as possible, preferably within three months, after consulting all stakeholders.In response, counsel representing the petitioner argued that nothing had been done on the representation despite a ban on such "dangerous dogs" in 35 countries. At this stage, the Court remarked that there are so many dog breeds in India which are acclimatized to local conditions. “In fact they need to be taken care of, and they are far more steady,” Justice Manmohan remarked, adding that the “local for vocal” campaign can also be run in respect of dog ownership..While disposing of the petition, the Court recorded that the representation will be decided in three months.It also gave the petitioner liberty to approach the Court again in case of grievance..The plea stated said that there was no government data on the “increasing breed of dangerous dogs.” It also highlighted various incidents of dog bite cases. “The Respondents are duty bound to act as welfare state and to take pre-emptive action to save the lives of the citizens from the risk of any major dog bite incident by above dangerous dogs,” the petition said.