Animal activists and organisations, while welcoming the ban on the import, sale, and breeding of 23 'ferocious' dogs by the Centre on Wednesday, have also highlighted some concerns about the reason mentioned behind it and the implementation of regulations.

The move aims to curb the rising cases of dog bites in the country on citizens, especially on the elderly and children.

While the activists support the ban, they said the reason is false and attribute the aggression in dogs to humans who engage them in exploitative activities such as dogfighting.

People For Animal (PFA) Trustee and animal right's activist Ambika Shukla said, "We are for the regulation of dog breeding but using the term 'threat to human life' pins the blame on dogs. Humans are unleashing cruelty and abuse and treating them as prisoners, making them aggressive. If you want to ban them, do so because humans do not know how to breed them in this country."

She said because these voiceless creatures aren't a vote bank for the political parties, it's easier for the Government to impose rules on them instead of humans who engage in cruelty and abuse. People For Animals Public Policy Foundation (PFAPPF) director and member of the executive committee, Delhi Animal Welfare Board, Dr Asher R Jesudoss lauded the ban, while stating, "We are in support of the ban. These breeds aren't suited for the Indian climate. The limited urban spaces, where these dogs are raised, hamper their exercise and training, resulting in making them aggressive.  Let us find homes for the 4 crore street dog population before bringing more foreign breeds into the country."

He said the Delhi Animal Welfare Board is not functioning properly. "Since its formation in 2023, the board has met once, with no agendas listed for the meeting," he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi Government must step up the implementation of the rules in the city, he said.

The activist said, "It has been tough to get Delhi Animal Welfare Board to fulfill their mandated duties towards these animals. There has been close to no action on the ground.

Moreover, people involved in heinous activities like illegal dog breeding & dogfighting are vote banks for political parties across the country.

Even though the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court had ordered the Delhi Animal Welfare Board to hold a meeting once every month, nothing has moved on that front since then.

The list of banned dog breeds, by the Union Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, includes Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American bulldog, Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, South Russian Shepherd, Tornjak, Sarplaninac, Japanese Tosa and Akita, Mastiffs, Rottweiler, Terriers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Wolf dogs, Canario, Akbash dog, Moscow Guard dog, Cane Corso, and every dog of the type commonly known as a 'Ban Dog'.

The ban also extends to mixed and crossbreeds of these dog breeds.

The department has also sent a letter to the Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories to ensure the proper implementation of the ban.

Asher R Jesudoss also said people who currently do not need to worry if they have these dogs. "Breeders need to just sterilise them and can continue raising them for as long as they are alive," he added.