We never gave any thought to ferocious dog breeds so far: S Theodore Baskaran

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying recently issued a letter to states where it requested local bodies to not issue any licences or permit for sale and breeding of dogs it considers to be ‘ferocious’ and ‘dangerous for human life’. Twenty-three breeds are enumerated in the letter.

A debate has already begun on the pros and cons of the government decsion. Is it correct? Should an entire breed be held responsible for the actions of a few errant individual dogs? What about attacks by free-ranging and stray dogs? And what of local dog breeds?

To find some answers, Down To Earth spoke to conservation writer, historian, naturalist and veteran activist S Theodore Baskaran. He is also an authority on native Indian dog breeds including the Rajapalayam, Mudhol, Chippiparai, Kanni and others, all of whom he profiled in his work, The Book of Indian Dogs (2017).

Edited excerpts from the interview:

Rajat Ghai (RG): What were your first thoughts regarding the news of a possible ban being contemplated by the Centre on certain foreign dog breeds?

S Theodore Baskaran (STB): My first thought was: “One more set of rules on dogs that will not be implemented”. The rule of licence for dogs is not enforced anywhere. Similary the rules on stray dogs are not implemented. In fact, the population of free-roaming dogs has increased manifold since the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 were brought in force.

India has about 62 million stray dogs, according to the State of Pet Homelessness Index 2021 by Mars Petcare, the global pet health and nutrition company. The 2001 Rules provide for euthanising rabid dogs. Just check how many have been put down in the last 20 years. Not a single one.

RG: Why do you think it all reached this point? What were the loopholes that could have been plugged to prevent this from happening?

STB: What point are we talking about? We never gave any thought to ferocious breeds so far. What about ferocious Indian breeds like the Bully Kutta? It is still bred and sold in western India.

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RG: What can we learn from other countries in this regard?

STB: The country that is supposed to be foremost in the care of dogs is the United Kingdom. Check out how they handle dog issues. There is a very clear understanding of animal welfare issues there. Here in India, it is mixed up with other issues like vegetarianism, for instance.

RG: The government advisory also talks about the need for promoting local breeds. Your comments.

STB: Among Indian breeds, the Tibetan Spaniel, Lhasa Apso and Tibetan terrier (quite rare) are small dogs and are suitable for homes.

I think most other Indian breeds are large in size and need a lot of exercise. They are traditionally work animals, used for hunting and guarding. They are not tied up in areas where they flourish, such as southern Tamil Nadu. So, they get a lot of exercise. If they are kept in restricted space, they languish.

RG: It is about class and upward mobility, isn’t it? Why else would people in India spend money to get a breed of canine they hardly know about?

STB: For many in our country, owning Rottweilers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks is a status symbol and a matter of prestige.  

In Bengaluru, where I live, I have seen quite a few Rhodesian Ridgebacks, at least two Dogo Argentinos and Pitbulls. All these are being bred in puppy mills. How will you control this? Will the implementing local authorities identify these breeds if they see one? What is the procedure to check if they have been neutered or spayed?