New Delhi: The government has banned import of dogs for breeding and other commercial purposes, conceding the demand of environmental organisations demanding such a step for years.

Monday’s notification by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Union commerce ministry said only pet dogs can be imported with a valid pet book and documents in the name of the importer.

The notification, however, allows import of dogs for R&D organisations for conducting research with the recommendation of the Committee for the Purpose of Control And Supervision of Experiments on Animals, or for those being imported by India’s defence and police forces for internal security.

Animal welfare organisations like the Humane Society International (India) and People for Animals welcomed the notification.

“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, a consultant with HSI (India) and PFA Trustee.

HSI said it been pressing for such a ban as import of dogs was resulting in “overpopulation of street dogs in India and the suffering endured by breed dogs due to difference in climatic condition".

“We now hope that the government complements this decision by enacting the pet shop and breeder regulations as recommended by the Law Commission of India," Maulekhi added.

Last year, the commission had published a report titled the Need to Regulate Pet Shops and Dog Breeding and Aquarium Fish Breeding. The report had recommended that the central government regulate the trade in pet shops and dog and aquarium fish breeding practices, and take cognizance of the issue.

In the past few years, with rise in population of stray dogs, people’s anger towards them have also risen.

In November, the Supreme Court called for a harmonious coexistence between human beings and dogs and said indiscriminate killing of dogs was not warranted.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.

Share Via