Tamil Nadu re-issues Centre's ban on foreign dog breeds, withdraws it within hours

CHENNAI: In a knee-jerk response to a spate of pet dog attacks in the past few days, including the mauling of a five-year-old girl by two rottweilers at a Nungambakkam park, Tamil Nadu govt banned the import, sales and breeding of 23 foreign and mixed dog breeds.
The announcement, however, was withdrawn by late evening, in view of the fact that an identical notification issued by the union govt in March was stayed by Madras high court, and quashed by a couple of other high courts.While issuing an order of interim stay the high court had ordered that secretary of state department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries be impleaded as a party-respondent.
Thursday's state govt statement, issued by the department of information and public relations (DIPR), was the verbatim reproduction of the Union govt notification.
The banned breeds included rottweilers, terriers and Rhodesian ridgebacks.
Leash, muzzles must for dogs in public places
In March, the Union govt notified all state govts to ban the import, sale and breeding of these dogs citing that they are 'ferocious and dangerous for human life'.When the state issued the ban order on Thursday morning, TOI asked the department officials how they could implement it when Madras high court has stayed it. "It was the union govt's guidelines we are upholding. The union govt will take it up legally in court," said an official.
A few hours later, animal husbandry officials told TOI that the ban announcement would be withdrawn 'due to the Madras high court orders'. "We will ask the DIPR to withdraw it," said an officer.
The statement also had instructions for pet dog owners. "Dogs must wear leashes and muzzles when they are in public places. The leash chain length should be proportional to the body width (at least 3 times the length) from the tip of the dog's nose to the bottom of the tail. The dogs must wear good quality collars or shoulder braces to keep their pets out to ensure safety for pets and the public," it says.