‘Never judge a book by its cover’, is a common adage. And while animals are naturally known to be unpredictable, very often their responses and behaviorisms are nothing more than a reflection of the people around them and the way in which they are being treated.
The recent news of the Government of India banning 23 dog breeds in the country has elicited a range of reactions from the residents of Goa, including dog lovers.
While certain individuals support the notion of prohibiting these specific breeds in order to protect people's safety and well-being, others argue that merely banning breeds that have been deemed 'dangerous' by societal norms does not effectively address the issue of animal attacks.
The list of the 23 banned breeds is as follows: Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, South Russian Shepherd Dog, Tornjak, Sarplaninac, Japanese Tosa and Akita, Mastiffs, Rottweiler, Terriers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Wolf Dogs, Canario, Akbash dog, Moscow Guard dog, Cane Corso and Bandog.
Out of these, two of the most common breeds one finds in Goa are the Pitbull Terrier and Rottweiler.
The list of the 23 banned breeds is as follows: Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, South Russian Shepherd Dog, Tornjak, Sarplaninac, Japanese Tosa and Akita, Mastiffs, Rottweiler, Terriers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Wolf Dogs, Canario, Akbash dog, Moscow Guard dog, Cane Corso and Bandog.
Some people have conflicting feelings about this issue, as they think that the best way to solve the problem is by prohibiting these specific dog breeds. These breeds are seen as dangerous to human life. However, in a situation where an animal attacks, wouldn't it be better to hold the individual dog accountable rather than blaming the entire breed?
Oscar Silveira, an expert in pet training and animal behaviour, firmly asserts that the manner in which a dog is raised is the crucial determinant of its behavior.
Oscar Silveira, a pet trainer and animal behaviourist, strongly believes that the way a dog is raised is the key factor in their behavior.
According to him, the upbringing of a dog holds greater significance compared to its innate characteristics. His conviction is reinforced by his encounters with several Rottweilers, whom he characterises as highly amiable and lively.
Others are of the opinion that addressing the problem at the root would be the better way to go about it. “Backyard breeding must be stopped. Not only is it animal cruelty, but also causes several health and other complications in the animal,” says a Ricky Nelson (name changed), a pet lover.
According to Wikipedia, ‘a backyard breeder is someone who breeds animals, often without registration and with a focus on profit. In some cases, the animals are inbred narrowly for looks, with little regard to health.’
In addition to backyard breeding being a cruel practice, it could also be a probable reason why the dog faces behavioural problems that may trigger it to attack someone that it perceives as a threat.
As for dog lovers, they stand firm by their belief that every action has a reaction, and very often, the actions that lead to the reaction are conveniently overlooked. Of course, with the exception of a few rare cases.
“I know of people that have never owned a dog in their life, but have gone straight to adopt a Rottweiler as their first pet,” explains Dr Adrian Camara, veterinarian at The Vet Yard in Margao.
“I still haven’t entirely processed the news of the ban, but I do know that every breed has its characteristics that makes it different from the rest," he says.
"And although some breeds have the tendency to be more aggressive than the rest, there are methods to raise a dog that people are often uneducated about before bringing the dog home, and that is a major part of the problem,” he concludes.
