Ghaziabad Bans The Registration Of 3 Dog Breeds

Ghaziabad: On Saturday, when dog attacks are on the rise, the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) banned the registration of three breeds of dogs, including pit bull, Rottweiler, and Dogo Argentino, in the city.

Ghaziabad municipal commissioner Nitin Gaur said, “Anyone found keeping these three breeds of dogs without registration will face a penalty of ₹5000 per instance. The corporation board decided after due consideration.” 

Dr. Anuj Singh, veterinary and social welfare officer of Ghaziabad municipal corporation, said, “We have bylaws for the registration of pet dogs in Ghaziabad, and this change will now become a part of existing bylaws. These three breeds of dogs will not be registered after two months, and their owners will be liable for a heavy penalty if they have unregistered dogs. The decision was taken after councilors said that the three breeds are aggressive and involved in a number of dog attacks.”

Sanjay Singh, councilor of Shipra Sun City, Indirapuram, stated, “These breeds are mostly kept at farmhouses and spacious areas. However, several residents have kept them as pets in flats and small houses. As a result, they become aggressive and are prone to attack.”

However, animal activists and dog lovers have termed the decision “illogical” and “biased.” “These three breeds are very friendly and owned by many pet lovers. Any pet dog can become aggressive if it is not properly trained. In case of dog attacks, it is the pet owner who is at fault for not training the animals properly. So the three breeds of dogs are not intrinsically at fault, and the corporation’s decision seems illogical and biased. If they think there will be no more dog attacks because of this move, they are mistaken,” Ruchin Mehra, an animal activist from Raj Nagar Extension, said.

Ashima Sharma, a city-based animal activist, stated, “The decision to not allow the registration of these three breeds is not acceptable. Dogs of all breeds should be treated equally. These dogs are not aggressive by nature, and pet owners have to take care of their upbringing. For instance, if the pet dog is kept on a leash for a long period of time, it can become aggressive. They have to be brought up in a proper manner. The corporation should revoke this decision.”