Dehradun is facing growing concerns over the illegal ownership of dangerous dog breeds, following a recent incident in which a woman was mauled by two Rottweilers in the Kishanpur area. The incident has brought to light the widespread flouting of a central government order that prohibits the breeding, import, and sale of 23 aggressive dog breeds in India.
According to the Dehradun Municipal Corporation, more than 300 such dogs have been registered in the city, including breeds like Rottweiler, Pitbull, Doberman, and Bulldog. However, authorities believe the actual number is significantly higher, with many owners keeping these dogs without registration or required licenses.
On 12 March 2024, the Government of India issued an official notification banning the breeding and import of 23 dog breeds considered to be aggressive and dangerous. Municipal authorities in Dehradun have since mandated sterilization and anti-rabies vaccination for all registered dogs of these breeds. Still, compliance appears to be inconsistent.
The recent attack on 60-year-old Kaushalya Devi by two Rottweilers has sparked outrage in the local community. The victim, who was on her way to a temple early Sunday morning, sustained serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital. Initially, a complaint was filed against one Mohammad Zaid, but further investigation revealed that the dogs were owned by Nafees Ahmad, who had bought them from Zaid three years ago.
Police arrested Nafees on Monday, confirming that he did not possess a license from the municipal corporation to keep the dogs. Nafees, who owns a farmhouse in Sahaspur and deals in real estate, is now being interrogated by the police. Relevant documents related to the purchase of the dogs have also been seized for investigation.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh has urged citizens to report incidents of dog bites or aggressive behavior to the police helpline 112 or the municipal authorities. He confirmed that legal action under Section 291 of the Indian Penal Code — which addresses public nuisance by unrestrained animals — would be initiated against violators.
Local residents of Kishannagar have expressed anger over the authorities’ failure to act earlier. They claim that they had repeatedly complained about the dogs and their aggressive behavior but were threatened and ignored by the owner. According to them, the same dogs had attacked others in the past as well.
The incident has triggered renewed calls for stricter enforcement of the banned breeds order, better monitoring by civic bodies, and harsher penalties for those endangering public safety by illegally keeping dangerous animals.