NEW DELHI: The government has imposed a ban on the import of dogs to be used for breeding after many animal rights organizations raised the issue that foreign bred dogs suffer due to difference in climatic condition.
The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a notification ending the import of dogs to be used for commercial breeding but in cases when dogs imported by the Research & Development organisations for conducting research and for the internal security by the Defence and Police Force.
Humane Society International and People for Animals along with other groups has urged the government to ban the import on dogs for breeding as it was resulting in overpopulation of street dogs in India. They were of the view that currently, a large number of dogs that are not suitable for the country’s tropical climate such as St Bernards, Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes and others are imported by breeders in India.
“We commend DGFT for this historic ban which will prevent the suffering of thousands of dogs. Our shelters are inundated with cases of abandoned imported breed dogs which are usually due to poor understanding of the breed’s requirement,” said Gauri Maulekhi, HSI/India consultant.
The animal rights groups also urged the government to enacting the Pet Shop & Breeder regulations as recommended by the law commission of India.
Last year, the Law Commission had published a report on the ‘Need to Regulate Pet Shops and Dog Breeding and Aquarium Fish Breeding’ recommending that the Central Government regulate the trade in pet shops and dog and aquarium fish breeding practices, and take cognizance of the issue.
The Pet Shop, Dog Breeding and Aquarium Fish Breeding Rules are pending notification with Government of India.