Concerns among dog owners and activists have surged following a recent recommendation from the Animal Husbandry Ministry urging state governments to consider banning certain dog breeds. Particularly, Pitbulls and various other breeds now face the distressing prospect of abandonment at an alarming rate.
The aftermath of this recommendation has been starkly evident, with a sudden surge in the availability of these breeds for adoption in the past week alone. However, amidst this flurry of activity, dog parents and advocates express profound worry over the rampant spread of misinformation across social media platforms, which they believe is exacerbating the chaos.
Sanjay Mohapatra, the founder of House of Stray Animals shelter, highlights a critical flaw in the government's approach. He notes that the visual identification of banned breeds, such as Pitbull mixes, proves challenging, rendering the ban ineffective. This is compounded by the mingling of DNA from the prohibited breeds with strays and even other pedigree breeds, a task best left to experts.
Indeed, social media trends reflect a surge in efforts by pet owners to find new homes for their dogs, including breeds listed for potential prohibition. Notably, breeds like Chow Chow, Dogo Argentino, and Rottweilers are among those being offered for adoption across Delhi-NCR.
However, amidst this tumult, frustration simmers among dog owners and activists over the lack of consultation with experts or stakeholder involvement in the decision-making process. Many lament the absence of a committee comprising dog parents and advocates, whose insights could have mitigated the confusion and apprehension now prevalent in the community.
Sanjay Mohapatra underscores the gravity of the situation, describing the government's action as precipitating a state of chaos, leading to not only increased adoption efforts but also a distressing rise in abandonment rates. His shelter, like many others across the National Capital Region, grapples with the influx of abandoned Pitbulls and related breeds, indicative of the ripple effects of the government's directive.
