Delhi High Court Declines PIL Seeking Ban on “Dangerous” Dog Breeds

Delhi High Court Declines PIL Seeking Ban on "Dangerous" Dog Breeds

VoM News Desk | October 5, 2023 | 06:15 PM IST | Courts & Law, Delhi | Follow on Google News

Delhi High Court Declines PIL Seeking Ban on “Dangerous” Dog Breeds

Delhi High Court Declines PIL Seeking Ban on “Dangerous” Dog Breeds

In a recent legal development, the Delhi High Court has refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on and the cancellation of licenses for the ownership of “dangerous” dog breeds, including pitbulls, terriers, American bulldogs, and rottweilers, among others. The bench, headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and including Justice Sanjeev Narula, directed the petitioner, Legal Attorneys & Barrister Law Firm, to first approach government authorities with their concerns instead of directly filing a plea before the court.

“This is a wrong trend in PILs. This is a policy decision,” remarked the bench in response to the petition.

The court emphasized that before approaching the court, the petitioner should make a representation to the government to address their grievances. The petitioner’s lawyer was advised accordingly.

In its PIL, the petitioner alleged that breeds like bulldogs, rottweilers, pitbulls, terriers, and Neapolitan Mastiffs are categorized as “dangerous dogs” and are banned in more than 12 countries, including India. However, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi was reportedly still registering them as pets. The petitioner highlighted several incidents involving these dog breeds attacking people, including their owners.

The PIL asserted, “It is the need of the hour to ban and cancel the license to keep such dogs as Pitbull, Terriers, 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 above mentioned dogs.”

The petitioner stressed that it is the responsibility of both the Centre and the state government to act as a welfare state and take preemptive action to protect citizens from the risks associated with these “dangerous dogs,” including the potential for severe dog bites.

VoM News Desk

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