Tamil Nadu bans 11 exotic dog breeds, but mum on stopping breeding

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu govt which banned breeding of 11 exotic dog breeds, owing to weather and their nature, has not uttered anything about stopping the breeding of the existing banned dog breeds, say activists.

"While the govt has announced the ban, there is no plan to enforce neutering of the existing banned dogs. Owners of these prohibited dogs must be notified and given a deadline to neuter them," said animal activist Antony Rubin, pointing out that the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has some data on pet dog breeds and their owners now that they have started issuing pet licences. Since May 2024, the GCC has given 8,000-odd pet licences in the city.

As per the Tamil Nadu Dog Breeding Policy, 2024, which was released this week, 11 dog breeds are prohibited in the state. They include Pugs, Siberian Huskies, French bulldogs and eight other breeds (see table). They are used to cold weather and cannot stand the hot and humid conditions in India, the order reasoned, adding that raising such dogs in the state is cruelty.

A huskie needs a cold environment and a place to run. Pugs can develop breathing difficulties in hotter temperatures. Moreover, their eye sockets are extremely shallow due to repeated breeding, which causes eyes to pop out from even small wounds. These dogs entail high maintenance as well.

"Every pet owner cannot provide air-conditioning and space for their dogs to move around, resulting in abandonment and diseases, including behavioural issues. So, the owners abandon the dogs," said Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB) member Shruti Vinodh Raj. Earlier, the board used to receive at least three complaints a month regarding abandoned dogs belonging to the banned breeds.

Antony Rubin suggested that new pet licence applications for banned dogs must be checked for birth year and neutered, and penalties for pet owners who fail to neuter the banned dogs must be defined.

The rules include breeding guidelines too, along with the licence process, to curb animal abuse by backyard breeders. No female dog, less than 18 months old, can give birth and cannot produce more than five litters during its lifespan. No breeding licence will be issued for dogs above 10 years.

Native dog breeds such as Kanni, Rajapalayam, Chippiparai, and Kombai need to run long distances and should not be raised in confined spaces, according to the breeding policy.