The Delhi High Court on April 16, 2024, overturned a circular issued by the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying on March 12, 2024. This circular had stirred controversy as it prohibited the import, breeding, and selling of 24 specific “dangerous” dog breeds. The ruling came in response to several petitions filed in the Delhi HC challenging the validity of the circular.
The petitions argued that the circular was issued unlawfully and without proper consultation with stakeholders, contrary to an undertaking given to the court on December 6, 2023. According to this undertaking, all stakeholders were supposed to be given due notice before any order was passed prohibiting the import, breeding, and sale of dogs deemed dangerous to human life.
During the court proceedings, counsel for the petitioners emphasized that the circular was arbitrary and illegal. They pointed out that no private body, aside from government bodies, was consulted before the circular was issued. This lack of stakeholder involvement raised concerns about the fairness and legality of the decision.
List Of 23 dog breeds that centre govt banned
| Dog Breed |
|---|
| Pitbull Terrier |
| Tosa Inu |
| American Staffordshire Terrier |
| Fila Brasileiro |
| Dogo Argentino |
| American Bulldog |
| Boerboel |
| Kangal |
| Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Ovcharka) |
| Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Ovcharka) |
| South Russian Shepherd Dog (Ovcharka) |
| Tornjak |
| Sarplaninac |
| Japanese Tosa |
| Japanese Akita |
| Mastiffs |
| Rottweiler |
| Terriers |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback |
| Wolf dogs |
| Canario |
| Akbash dog |
| Moscow Guard dog |
| Cane Corso |
In response, the counsel representing the Central government acknowledged the oversight and expressed willingness to rectify it. They stated that they had no objection if the circular was set aside, provided that the authorities issued a fresh circular/notification after allowing all stakeholders to raise their objections. This concession signaled a willingness to address the concerns raised by the petitioners and ensure a more inclusive decision-making process in the future.
The Delhi High Court, considering the arguments presented by both sides, issued a directive to set aside the circular dated March 12, 2024. Additionally, the court mandated that the government publish a public notice in a national newspaper and on its website, inviting written objections to the proposed changes within two weeks. This process aimed to replace the impracticality of conducting oral hearings for every dog owner. Following the review of these objections, the government would issue a final notification.
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