New Delhi: The Central government has directed states to prohibit the sale and breeding of 23 ferocious dog breeds, such as the Pitbull Terrier, American Bulldog, Rottweiler, and Mastiffs, due to increasing incidents of pet dog attacks.

The order, sent to states and Union Territories, prohibits people from owning 23 specific breeds of dogs as pets.

The government also highlighted the need to sterilise these existing pet dogs of the specified breeds to prevent further breeding.

In a letter, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has said that it received requests from citizens, citizen forums, and Animal Welfare Organizations to prohibit certain dog breeds from being kept as pets or for other purposes.

A committee has identified 23 breeds of dogs, including mixed and crossbreeds, as ferocious and potentially hazardous to human safety.

Among the breeds recommended for prohibition by the central government are Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, and Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

Other breeds identified for potential banning include South Russian Shepherd Dog, Tornjak, Sarplaninac, Japanese Tosa, and Akita, along with Mastiffs, Terriers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Wolf Dogs, Canario, Akbash Dog, Moscow Guard Dog, Cane Corso, and Bandog.

"The above dog breeds, including crossbreeds, shall be prohibited for import, breedings, selling as pet dogs and other purposes," the letter said, quoting the recommendations of the expert panel.