Government to Introduce New Rules for Dog Breeding and Sale in India

Team L&M

There is good news for dog lovers in India. The Government of India is preparing to introduce new rules for pet dogs. These will regulate breeding, sale and purchase of dogs. This would  ensure better animal welfare and prevent cruelty.

According to Anil Madhav Dave, the then Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the government is also working on the modalities for online sale and purchase of dogs.

Draft Rules for Dog Breeding and Marketing

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has invited public comments on the draft notification titled Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules), 2016.

Once feedback from the public is reviewed, the proposed rules will be notified in the Gazette of India.

Citizens can submit their suggestions in writing within 30 days of the draft’s publication to the Deputy Secretary, Animal Welfare Division, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi.

Why These Rules Are Important

At present, India does not have specific regulations requiring dog breeders and breeding establishments to register with authorities. Further, the dog breeding and trading business has grown rapidly, often without proper oversight.

This lack of regulation has sometimes led to cruel breeding practices and poor living conditions for dogs, with little accountability for breeders or sellers.

The new rules aim to address these concerns by bringing dog breeding and marketing activities under a formal regulatory framework.

Key Provisions in the Proposed Dog Breeding Rules

The proposed rules outline clear standards for dog breeding, housing and sale, ensuring better welfare for animals.

Some of the major provisions include:

• Mandatory registration of dog breeders and breeding establishments

• Defined breeding conditions and standards

• Proper housing and care requirements

• Health-related standards for dogs

• Microchipping and vaccination requirements

• Regulated sale and transfer of dogs

These guidelines aim to ensure that dogs are bred and sold in a humane and responsible manner.

Record-Keeping and Annual Reporting

Under the proposed rules, dog breeders will be required to maintain detailed records of all animals. This includes information such as:

• Breed of the dog

• Microchip number

• Number of litters

• Details of sale or purchase

• Death or rehabilitation records

In addition, breeders must submit an annual report to the State Animal Welfare Board detailing animals that were sold, traded, bartered, exhibited, boarded or given away during the previous year.

Mandatory Registration and Inspections

The draft rules also make it compulsory for all dog breeders and breeding establishments to register with the State Animal Welfare Board of their respective states.

Authorised inspectors will periodically inspect these organised.

Failure to comply with the proposed regulations may result in cancellation of the breeder’s registration.

A Step Towards Better Animal Welfare

The proposed Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules will bring greater transparency and accountability to the dog breeding industry in India.

If implemented effectively, the regulations could play a significant role in protecting dogs from cruelty and ensuring ethical breeding practices across the country.