Delhi High Court seeks response from Centre, Delhi on plea to ban ferocious dog breeds after Pitbull attacks 6-year-old
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Central and Delhi governments, Delhi Police and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on a plea to ban import, trading, selling, breeding or domesticating ferocious dog breeds [Dinesh Kumar Roy vs Union of India & Ors].
Justice Sachin Datta also issued notice to the owner of a Pitbull dog which attacked a 6-year-old child and caused grievous injuries.
The petition was filed by the father of the child seeking compensation of ₹25 lakh besides also seeking prohibition on ferocious dog breeds.
The counsel appearing for Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) informed the Court that the dog has been seized with the owner's consent.
Justice Sachin Datta also directed the police authorities to expeditiously look into the FIR registered in this regard. The Court directed the MCD to ensure that the dog is not released without precautions.
“As an interim measure, the MCD shall ensure that the dog is not released unless adequate precautions are taken. Police authorities directed to take expeditious steps pursuant to the FIR registered regarding the matter. Let the status report be filed in 4 weeks,” the Court directed.
The incident took place on November 23. The child was playing outside when the dog attacked him, bit off the child’s ear and dragged him across the street. It was submitted that this attack resulted in serious and irreparable injuries on the child.
Advocate Avadh Bihari Kaushik, appearing for the petitioner, stated that there were numerous instances of attacks by the same dog on animals, children and adults. For this reason, a complaint was filed earlier but no action was taken by police or the municipal authorities, it was alleged.
He stated that in May 2024, the Centre had invited comments regarding prohibiting the import, breeding and selling of twenty four dog breeds but nothing was done after that.
“Notice should be issued to Union of India. It called for comments from all stakeholders, in the last eighteen months they have not done anything. It is a ferocious dog. The dog was not registered,” he stated before Court.
Further, the petitioner also said that there should be an enquiry into the incident and strict legal and departmental action should be taken against erring and delinquent officers who failed to take timely measures against the Pitbull and its owner despite previous complaints.
It was also stated that the petitioner belongs to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and is unable to afford the child's treatment at Safdarjung Hospital. Hence, he sought directions to Safdarjung Hospital to provide free medical treatment to his child.
Advocate Harshita Nathrani, appearing for the Delhi government, told the Court that the child was admitted to Safdarjung hospital and compensation has to be paid by the perpetrators.
The Court made it clear that “ameliorating measures have to taken in consultation with the municipal authorities to prevent this menace.”
The matter will be heard next on March 3, 2026.