People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India, an animal protection group, has called for a ban on the breeding and sale of Pitbulls in the country and demanded closure of illegal pet shops, breeders, and a crackdown on illegal dog fights held in many parts of India. PETA has written to the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, and Animal Welfare Board of India chair OP Chaudhary requesting an amendment in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, to prohibit the breeding and keeping of breeds of dogs that are bred for fighting and racing and a ban on the breeding and sale of Pitbulls in the country. PETA also pointed out that in the recent cases of people being attacked by dogs, the breed in common is the Pitbull. “PETA is asking for a ban on the breeding, sale and keeping of Pitbull-type dogs because they are bred in such a way that they are trained for fighting. For those that are already at home, they need to be registered and sterilised so that they are not bred and sold. Pitbull-type dogs are the most abused dogs,” PETA said.
PETA has also released a footage provided by the Fauna Police, showing lethal injuries that animals sustain in the alleged dogfights. “The footage shows how dog fighters train pit-bulls, Pakistani Bully Kutta, and mixed-breed dogs by goading them into killing wild animals,” it said in a statement.
“Puppies are provoked into fighting each other. The fights can leave the dogs so exhausted they can no longer continue or defend themselves. The dogs are encouraged to fight until at least one gets seriously injured or dies," it said. PETA India's Veterinary Policy Advisor Nithin Krishnegowda said that they have urged the Government to join the "effort" to stop dog fights by making it "illegal to breed". "Dog fighters choose secret locations. Anyone who sees or learns of these rings, must be quick to report them to the police," Krishnegowda said. In India, inciting dogs to fight is illegal under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
However, PETA has claimed that the illegal sport that involves "gambling and operates in secrecy", is predominant in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Jammu.
