Rules on breeding, sale and purchase of dogs on the anvil

Team L&M

Good news for dog lovers. The government will soon notify rules on the breeding, sale and purchase of dogs. “The government is also working on the modalities of having online sale and purchase of dogs,” says Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Anil Madhav Dave.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change  has invited comments on the draft notification for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules), 2016. The proposed draft Rules will then be notified in the Gazette of India for public information.

Any citizen can offer his/her suggestions on the said draft rules in writing for consideration of the Central Government to the Deputy Secretary, Animal Welfare Division, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi, within 30 days of such publication of the Rules.

As of now there are no specific rules or guidelines for mandatory registration of breeders and establishments and requirements to be met by such breeders. Dog breeding and their marketing trade has mushroomed all around and at times these animals are subjected to cruelty has been caused in breeding and marketing of dogs, with little or no accountability. Once notified, the rules will make dog breeders and their marketers accountable and these will also help prevent infliction of any cruelty to the animals.

The proposed rules not only define the breeding requirements and conditions for sale but also define the requirements to be met by the breeders and the establishments used for breeding, or housing dogs, such as health-related requirements, housing facilities, manner of housing dogs, conditions for sale, breeding, micro-chipping, vaccination etc.

The proposed rules make it mandatory for dog breeders to maintain proper records of both male and female dogs, their breed, micro-chip number, number of litters, sale, purchase, death, rehabilitation etc. Further, every dog breeder is required to submit yearly report to the State Board regarding animals sold, traded, bartered, brokered, given away, boarded or exhibited during previous year or any other information asked for by the State Board.

As per the proposed rules, it will be mandatory for all dog breeders and the dog breeding establishments to register themselves with the State Animal Welfare Board of the respective State Governments.  And the breeding establishments will be periodically inspected by an inspector authorised by the state board. Non-compliance of the proposed Rules will lead to cancellation of the registration of the dog breeder.