CHENNAI: From December 20, 2025, applications for new pet licences for Pit Bull and Rottweiler breeds will be prohibited within the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) limits.

The ban, initiated by the GCC’s Veterinary Department, seeks to stop the issuance of new licences and the renewal of annual licences for the two breeds, which the Corporation has classified as aggressive and posing a risk to public safety.

According to the resolution passed, while existing licensed dogs will not be seized, owners of Pit Bull and Rottweiler dogs already holding valid pet licences will be required to use a leash and muzzle whenever the dogs are taken outside their homes. Failure to comply will attract a fine of Rs. 5,000.

The Corporation has also proposed a penalty of Rs.1 lakh for persons who purchase or rear Pit Bull or Rottweiler dogs without a licence after the cut-off date. Officials said the move is aimed at preventing fresh ownership of the breeds within city limits.

The proposal characterises Pit Bull and Rottweiler dogs as ferocious and aggressive breeds, linking them to a significant share of recent dog attack complaints and incidents involving harm to the public. It notes that while these dogs may behave normally in familiar surroundings and with known individuals, their conduct can become unpredictable in the presence of unfamiliar people or in new environments, particularly in public spaces and shared residential areas. Citing the fear and safety risks posed to the general public and the issue as a breed-specific concern, the council proposes stricter controls including licensing restrictions, mandatory leashing and muzzling, and steep penalties are necessary to prevent further incidents.