The government banning import of all foreign dog breeds into India, has gone down well with animal lovers across the country… or has it? After the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announced this rule, many have voiced their disappointment. While breeds like Siberian Huskies, Saint Bernards and Alaskan Malamutes can’t cope with India’s weather conditions, Labrador Retrievers and Dobermann Pinschers can adapt very well, they feel. What do Chennaiites feel about this state of affairs?
“I’m definitely for the ban,” says advocate Sushma Harini Amasa. “There are so many Indian dogs that need good homes. Most people who buy expensive breeds fail to realise that our mongrels can adapt to any weather condition in the country, and are much more sturdy,” she says.
She adds, “Buying a pedigree dog and leaving it in the care of domestic help or watchmen means the dogs don’t get the attention and care they deserve, thus leading to a number of health issues.”
While this is definitely something to consider, the ban could have worse repercussions, some feel. “I have a Chowchow, Mocha, who is five years old, and he’s perfectly healthy!” says actress Priya Mani, who is not at all happy about the ban.
Priya doesn’t feel the necessity to ban importing dogs, but stresses on the fact that people need to be educated as to how to care for them. “Before you bring a dog home, research about the breed and see if you can take care of it. A pet is just like a child — you won’t abandon your child if you’re moving homes, will you?” she smiles. “As for dealing with furry dogs in summer, put ice cubes in their water, or buy ice to help cool them off. When there are ways to care for exotic breeds, I don’t see why importing them should be banned,” she says.
“When you stop importing a particular breed, they become limited in number —this will give rise to inbreeding, where the pups born will either be blind, deaf or have a single testicle,” says Muralidharan Sivalingam, Founder, INCARE. He also questions how the government is going to protect or rehabilitate the existing breed dogs within the country — “They are allowing native dogs like Chippi Parais, Kannis and Kombais to become extinct, but are screaming from the rooftops about saving rare species. Isn’t it ironic? What should really be looked into, is banning puppy mills and breeders who don’t have licenses,” he says.
R. Kumar, an animal behaviourist and groomer, agrees with Murali. “Importing dogs into the country requires a lot of time, money and effort, but breeders are being let scot-free without any rules or regulations,” he says. For example, Shitzus, Great Danes and even Rottweiler puppies are bred in hostile conditions, and are transported by bus from one city to another. “Nearly 70 to 80 puppies are cramped into tiny cages, and many end up dying en route. Shouldn’t this atrocity be banned first?” Kumar sighs.
He adds, “Kennels which import dogs take utmost care to ensure those dogs are healthy and safe. They’re given a healthy diet, groomed regularly and most importantly, they scan the potential buyers of pups.” Pedigree dogs being abandoned will cease only if routine checks are conducted on the pups after they’re sold, and illegal breeders are banned.
