Among animals, dog is generally called man's best friend. But it is not necessary that all dogs be friends. Some dog breeds are considered extremely dangerous in the world.
In India too, many cases of pet dog attacks have been reported in recent years. People have been seriously injured in these attacks. In some cases, death has also occurred.
According to data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program of the Health Ministry, more than 37 lakh dog bites were reported in India in the year 2024.
In the first month of the year 2025 alone, 4,29,664 cases were reported. It has to be kept in mind here that these figures are only for registered cases whereas it is believed that many such attacks go unreported.
Pitbull attacks six month old baby
On the evening of September 14, 2026, a six-month-old child was attacked by a neighbor's pet pitbull in Sikka Colony, Sonipat, adjacent to Delhi.
The child's aunt was roaming in the street carrying him in her lap. Then the dog came out and pounced on them. The child has suffered serious injuries at many places. At present the child is admitted in PGIMS Hospital, Rohtak.
His aunt also got injured while trying to save the child. The entire incident is captured in CCTV. The family was contacted in this matter but they refused to talk.
However, it has been learned that at present no police complaint has been lodged by the family.
After this incident, people on social media are raising questions about rules, owner responsibility and public safety regarding dogs considered dangerous in India, especially breeds like Pitbull.
There have been many cases before
Even before this, many attacks by pit bulls have come to light.
In August 2026, a couple was attacked by a pit bull in Ghuman Nagar, Patiala, Punjab. At that time Ankit Sabharwal and his wife Shefali had gone to look at a house for rent.
As soon as the gate opened, the dog came out and pounced on them. Both were seriously injured. After this incident, the police registered a case against the owner.
In August 2025, 55-year-old Karunakaran died in Chennai after being attacked by a neighbor's pitbull. While returning home he was bitten by a dog. The owner was also injured. Police registered a case on charges of negligence.
In the year 2022, an attack by a pit bull was in the news in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, when it attacked its 82-year-old mistress. The woman was so injured by the dog that she died.
where is pitbull from
According to a video by BBC News Hindi in the year 2022, the Pitbull breed originated in England in the 1800s. At that time they were used for entertainment.
These dogs were made to compete with the bull or bear tied in the enclosure.
This game was banned in 1835. After this, the game of fighting among these dogs started, which is banned in most of the countries, but still illegal cases related to it keep coming to light.
In the 1960s, drug smugglers in America started keeping pit bulls.
They have strong jaws, ability to tolerate more pain, hunting habit and tenacity. These are medium sized, strong muscular and powerful dogs.
Many owners describe them as loyal and family-friendly. But without proper training, social habits and control, they can prove dangerous.
Why are Pitbull dogs generally considered aggressive?
In response, PETA India spokesperson Sachin S Bangera told BBC News Hindi, "Pitbull dogs were historically designed to be particularly powerful and fighting. They were developed through selective breeding to tame bulls and later to fight other dogs. Because of this, these dogs have extraordinary physical strength, strong grip and habits like not leaving the prey after attacking it."
However, he also says that the behavior of any dog does not depend only on its breed. Social habits, training, care and environment also have a big impact on his nature.
At the same time, animal activist working independently says that most of the people keep dogs of breed like Pitbull for social status, they are trained to behave aggressively since birth, they are not kept with their mothers, which also affects their behaviour.
She also says that when these older dogs become weak, they are abandoned by their owners, but there is a problem in keeping these dogs of this breed with other dogs in the shelter.
How does a pitbull have such a strong grip?
On this, PETA's Bangera said that dogs like Pitbull are very powerful and have strong muscles. Their broad chest, strong jaws and large jaws enable them to hold prey tightly.
Once the attack begins, it is very difficult to separate the dog from the prey.
So when a serious assault occurs, the injuries it causes can be very serious or sometimes even fatal, especially if the victim is a young child.
What are the rules on pitbulls in India?
In March 2024, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying of the Center wrote a letter to the Chief Secretaries of the States and Union Territories.
In this, about 23-24 breeds (including mixed and cross breeds), including the Pitbull Terrier, were described as "dangerous".
It was advised to ban their import, breeding and sale. It was also recommended to sterilize the dogs already being bred.
The list includes breeds like Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazilero, Cane Corso, Mastiff, Wolf Dog, Kangal and Caucasian Shepherd.
This central directive was not a completely legal ban. Some courts including Delhi High Court and Karnataka High Court intervened in this.
In May 2024, the Center issued a notice saying that it should not be implemented until further orders.
That means there is no strict legal ban on keeping pitbulls in the country. But the rules of breeding, sale and rearing depend on the state and local bodies.
The local administration has taken steps at some places.
In Lucknow and Ghaziabad of Uttar Pradesh, instructions were given not to license and sterilize these breeds.
Goa passed a law in 2025, allowing the government to declare any breed as a "dangerous animal".
Once declared, keeping, breeding and bringing that breed into the state becomes prohibited.
It is necessary to sterilize the dogs already reared, otherwise there can be a jail term of 15 days to 3 months and a fine of up to Rs 50 thousand.
PETA spokesperson says that Kanpur Municipal Corporation has banned keeping pitbulls and rottweilers.
Victim's legal options and owner's responsibilities
What precautions should owners take?
Never chain a dog, provoke it into attack, or use it for fighting or guarding.
Breeders often sell pitbulls without warning.
