Dogs are known to be a person's best friend and are considered as the best pets. For some, they are like their children and for some, they are guards who protect them.
However, in recent days, there has been a surge in cases where a specific breed of dogs are being abandoned by their owners. Wondering why? Let us tell you.
What caused the stir?
In a recent incident in Lucknow, an 82-year-old woman was attacked by her own pet Pitbull and she succumbed to her injuries. This sent shock waves across the nation. Following that a 10-year-old boy was also mauled by a Pitbull dog in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
After this, several rescuers reported that in recent months there has been an unprecedented increase in incidents where Pitbulls are being abandoned by their owners and the dogs are needing rehoming due to tragic accidents.
The rescuers said that these dogs require a certain type of training and environment and now, the recent abandonments have come as an eye opener for people who had kept this breed as a pet.
About the breed pitbull:
Pitbulls descend from the British Bull and terrier and they were developed in the 19th century in crosses between the Old English Bulldog and the Old English Terrier.
They've had a controversial reputation internationally because of their history in dog-fighting. This breed was also used for bear and bull baiting and was often pitted against its own kind in organised dog fights.
What experts have to say:
Abhinav Srihan, a renowned animal rights activist, said that there are people who buy Pitbulls just because they get inspired by Punjabi songs where these dogs are depicted as a status symbol of masculinity.
Meanwhile, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India, an animal protection group, has called for a ban on the breeding and sale of Pitbulls in the country.
Also watch: Lucknow woman mauled to death by son's pet pitbull
Also watch: 11-year-old boy attacked by pet Pitbull in Ghaziabad, receives 150 stitches in face