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Pet Ownership Rules In Indian Cities

Lipta sharma | Feb 03, 2026, 09:30 IST
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Existing pet owners must follow strict leash and safety guidelines under the new rules..
Existing pet owners must follow strict leash and safety guidelines under the new rules..
Image credit : Freepik
The 2025 pet rules in India introduce breed bans and strict regulations in major cities to improve public safety, reduce dog bite incidents, and promote responsible pet ownership.

In 2025, several Indian cities introduced new pet ownership rules to improve public safety and reduce incidents related to aggressive dog behavior. These rules focus mainly on banning or regulating certain dog breeds that are considered dangerous in urban environment. With rising cases of dog bites and attacks in crowded cities, local authorities felt the need to take stricter action. The new regulations aim to cover citizens while also encouraging responsible and informed pet ownership.

Existing pet owners must follow strict leash and safety guidelines under the new rules..
Existing pet owners must follow strict leash and safety guidelines under the new rules..
Image credit : Freepik

Why Were New Pet Rules Introduced?


Over the past few years, Indian cities have witnessed an increase in dog bite cases, especially involving large and powerful breeds. many of these incidents occurred in domestic areas, premises, and public spaces. Poor training, lack of control, and irresponsible ownership were set up to be major reasons. The 2025 pet rules were introduced to reduce such risks and ensure better control, monitoring, and responsibility among pet owners.

Pet registration helps authorities monitor ownership and ensure animal safety..
Pet registration helps authorities monitor ownership and ensure animal safety..
Image credit : Freepik


Dog breeds Banned in Indian cities


The list of banned dog breeds isn't the same across all cities. Each city has taken decisions grounded on local safety concerns, past incidents, and population density.

1. Chandigarh
In 2025, Chandigarh introduced new Pet and Community Dog Bye- Laws. Under these rules, certain breeds were banned from new registration .
These include:
  • American Pitbull Terrier
  • American Bulldog
  • Bull Terrier
  • Cane Corso
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Rottweiler
Existing owners were allowed to keep their dogs only after mandatory registration and by following strict rules such as leashing, muzzling, and sterilization.

2. Ghaziabad( Uttar Pradesh)
Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation banned breeds like Pitbulls, Rottweilers, and Dogo Argentino. New licences for these breeds aren't issued. The decision was taken to reduce pitfalls in crowded domestic areas.

3. Goa
Goa passed strict animal regulation laws in 2025. The government restricted the breeding, sale, import, and ownership of certain ferocious dog breeds. Owners of such breeds were required to register and sterilize their dogs within a fixed time period or face penalties.

Other Important Pet Ownership Rules


Apart from breed bans, many cities also introduced general pet safety rules:
  • Mandatory pet registration with local authorities
  • Use of leash and muzzle in public places
  • Limits on the number of pets per household
  • Penalties for dog bites or injuries
  • Fines for not cleaning pet waste
  • These rules aim to promote hygiene, safety, and better coexistence between pets and the public.

Public response and Challenges


While many citizens welcome these rules for safety reasons, some animal lovers expressed concerns. They believe that poor training and careless owners are the real problem, not dog breeds. animal welfare groups also stressed the importance of education, training programs, and responsible ownership instead of only focusing on bans.

When Care, Rules, and Responsibility Walk Together


The 2025 pet rules in India aim to create safer cities while still respecting the bond between humans and animals. By restricting certain dog breeds, enforcing registration, and promoting responsible ownership, authorities are trying to reduce risks without harming animal welfare. These rules remind pet owners that love for pets also comes with duty and discipline. With proper awareness, training, and compliance, Indian cities can become spaces where pets and people live together peacefully and safely.

Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
  1. Why are some dog breeds banned in Indian cities?
    To reduce safety risks and dog bite incidents in crowded urban areas.
  2. Can existing owners keep banned dog breeds?
    Yes, in some cities, existing owners can keep them after registration and following strict rules.
  3. Are these pet rules the same in every city?
    No, each city has its own rules based on local safety needs

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