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| Photo Credit: C. Ratheeshkumar
The Tamil Nadu government has constituted an expert committee to frame draft “Pet and Community Dog Bye-laws” to regulate or ban aggressive and dangerous dog breeds in the interest of public safety and the protection of other living beings.
Acting on proposals from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services and the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), the State government issued orders last week forming the committee, which has been asked to submit its recommendations at the earliest.
The move follows the decision of a committee set up by the Union government that identified certain dog breeds as ferocious and dangerous to human life. The committee recommended that such breeds, including crossbreeds, be prohibited for import, breeding, and sale as pets.
In a proposal to the State government, the GCC Commissioner noted that certain dog breeds had been identified as ferocious and aggressive, and caused harm to the public. He requested the government to issue orders or guidelines banning the possession of such breeds as pets and to stop the renewal of licences for these categories of dogs within the Corporation’s jurisdiction.
The Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services recommended the formation of an expert committee to study the issue and guide the government in drafting the proposed bye-laws. The committee may examine ways to regulate or ban aggressive and dangerous dog breeds to ensure the safety of the public, society, and other living beings, he said.
The panel could also review existing regulations governing such breeds and draft Standard Operating Procedures for their ownership, handling, and enforcement.
The expert committee will be headed by the Director of Municipal Administration as its chairperson. The Chief Executive Officer of the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board will serve as the Member-Secretary and Convenor, along with six other members.
Centre’s decision
In a communication to States in March 2024, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying urged local bodies not to issue licences or permits for the sale, breeding or keeping of certain ferocious dog breeds, recommending that such breeds be banned. However, dogs already kept as pets should be sterilised to prevent further breeding, the Ministry said.
The Union government has also notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, with the responsibility for implementation resting with local bodies.
In April 2024, the Madras High Court observed that a proper policy was required to address the danger posed by ferocious dog breeds and to provide preventive measures.
“Let the process continue in a transparent and open manner to decide whether a ban on the import of ferocious dogs is necessary and how such breeds should be classified,” the court said, while calling for the constitution of a committee that included experts in canine behaviour and psychology.
Published – March 08, 2026 11:53 pm IST
