2 weeks ago
Pitbull Attack in Patiala Raises Questions Over India's Pricey Breeds
A big, strong dog called a pitbull attacked a man and a woman in a city in India called Patiala.
The two people were looking at a house to rent when the dog hurt them.
The woman had to have surgery because of her injuries, and the man was hurt trying to help her.
Police are now looking into what happened.
The word pitbull is actually used for several kinds of strong dogs with big heads and short fur.
Some of these dogs are very expensive and can cost up to 500,000 rupees.
That is why some rich people in India like to own them - the high price makes them seem special.
But the dogs are not dangerous all by themselves; how they are raised and trained matters a lot.
There is no full ban on pitbulls in India, but some government groups want rules to stop people from breeding and selling them.
Different cities and housing societies make their own rules about where these dogs can go.
A pitbull attacked couple Ankit and Shifali Sabharwal while they were viewing a house for rent in Ghuman Nagar, Patiala.
Shifali suffered deep injuries to her arms requiring surgery and is being treated at a private hospital, while Ankit injured his leg and back saving her.
Police are investigating the incident; there is no nationwide ban on pitbulls, but 2023 guidelines proposed banning the import, breeding, and sale of breeds including American Pit Bull Terriers.
Pitbull is an umbrella term covering breeds like the American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Staffordshire Terrier.
Premium pitbulls in India can cost up to Rs 5,00,000, with first-year setup costs of Rs 35,000 to Rs 83,000, making them status symbols for affluent Indians.
- Who
- Couple Ankit and Shifali Sabharwal, who were attacked by a pitbull while visiting a house for rent; police are investigating.
- What
- A pitbull mauled Shifali, causing deep injuries to her arms that required surgery, and injured Ankit's leg and back as he tried to save her.
- Where
- Ghuman Nagar, Patiala, India.
- When
- Recently; the article does not specify an exact date.
- Why
- The attack renewed public safety concerns and sparked debate over why wealthy Indians buy powerful, costly dog breeds that some view as status symbols.
Ban Dangerous Breeds
Raise and Train Responsibly
Should pitbulls be restricted?
Ban Dangerous Breeds
Authorities including the Animal Welfare Board of India and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying proposed a 2023 ban on importing, breeding, and selling breeds like American Pit Bull Terriers, citing public safety concerns.
Raise and Train Responsibly
Pitbulls are family-friendly, intelligent, and loyal, and their ferociousness depends on how they are raised, trained, and treated, so breed-wide bans are unfair.
Costly breeds versus street dogs
Ban Dangerous Breeds
While Indies are discarded and left to starve on streets, people spend thousands and lakhs on costly species, suggesting misplaced priorities.
Raise and Train Responsibly
For some affluent Indians, the appeal of premium breeds such as pitbulls goes beyond temperament and appearance, with hefty price tags making them status symbols.
Key facts
- Location
- Ghuman Nagar, Patiala, India
- Victims
- Ankit Sabharwal and Shifali Sabharwal
- Injuries
- Shifali: deep injuries to arms requiring surgery; Ankit: injuries to leg and back
- Pitbull price in India
- Rs 25,000 to Rs 5,00,000; imported pitbulls in Mumbai cost over Rs 3,00,000
- First-year setup cost
- Rs 35,000 to Rs 83,000 (Supertails)
- Monthly upkeep
- Rs 5,300 to Rs 11,000 (Supertails)
- Physical traits
- Bite force around 235 PSI; can pull over 500 kg on wheels
- 2023 regulatory move
- AWBI and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying proposed banning import, breeding, and sale of breeds including American Pit Bull Terriers





