Environment Ministry invites comments on Draft Notification for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2016

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) on 10 January 2017 invited comments on the draft notification of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules), 2016.

The suggestion for the draft can be made by any person in writing for consideration of the Union Government. The suggestions can be made to the Deputy Secretary, Animal Welfare Division, MoEF, within 30 days of publication of the Rules. The proposed draft will  be notified in the Gazette of India.

Purpose of the Rules

The Rules aim at making dog breeders and their marketers accountable. It also seeks to prevent infliction of any cruelty in this process.  

The proposed Rules 

• The Rules make it mandatory for all dog breeders and the dog breeding establishments to register themselves with the State Animal Welfare Board of the respective State Governments.  

• It describes the breeding requirements/conditions for sale.

• It also gives out the requirements to be met by the breeders and the establishments used for breeding, or housing dogs.

• The establishment can be inspected by an inspector authorised by the State Board.

• It is also compulsory for dog breeders to maintain proper records of both male and female dogs, their breed, micro-chip number, sale, purchase, number of litters, death, rehabilitation and so on.

• In addition, the dog breeders are expected to submit yearly report to the State Board regarding animals sold, traded, bartered, brokered, given away and so on.

• Non-compliance of the proposed Rules will lead to cancellation of the registration of the dog breeder.