A couple who had gone to rent a house in Ghuman Nagar, Patiala, Punjab, was suddenly attacked by a pit bull. Ankit Sabharwal and his wife, Shifali, had gone to view the house with a property dealer. As soon as the gate of the house opened, the dog came out and attacked Shifali. She reportedly suffered serious injuries to her hands and other parts of her body and had to undergo surgery. Ankit, who was trying to save his wife, was also injured by the dog. The incident was captured on CCTV.

Following the incident, Patiala Mayor Kundan Gogia has expressed his stance on tightening the rules regarding aggressive dog breeds in the city and is likely to bring a proposal in this regard in the Municipal Corporation Council meeting.

⚠️ DISTURBING VISUALS

Husband and wife out house-hunting in Patiala mauled by a pit bull after it slipped out of the very property they had come to see in Ghuman Nagar

Even the owner and neighbours appeared helpless trying to stop the attack

They've suffered multiple bite… pic.twitter.com/4epQfJgs72

— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) August 12, 2026

What exactly is a Pitbull?

"Pitbull" isn't the name of any one official dog breed. The term is often used to describe specific pitbull-type dogs, with the American Pitbull Terrier (APBT) being the primary breed. These dogs are known for their strong, athletic, and muscular bodies. Therefore, any physical injuries they inflict during an attack are taken seriously.

Where did the name Pitbull come from?

The history of this type of dog is linked to bull-baiting and other blood sports in 19th-century Britain. Bull-and-terrier dogs were used in such fights. It is said that the name "pit bull" became popular because the dogs were kept in a "pit," meaning fighting arena. In Britain, sports like bull-baiting were banned after the 1835 Cruelty to Animals Act. However, the breeding and use of such dogs continued in various forms.

Does a Pitbull’s jaw really lock?

No. This is a common myth. There is no conclusive scientific evidence that a pit bull's jaw has a different locking mechanism than other dogs. The claim that a pit bull's jaw automatically locks after a bite and cannot be opened is false.

However, this doesn't mean a pit bull's bite is mild. Strong jaw muscles, body strength, and the grab-and-shake reflex seen in some dogs can cause serious bite injuries.

So what is the bite power of a Pitbull?

Statistics about the bite force of a Pitbull reaching 1,600 PSI or more are widely shared online. However, such figures lack any solid, comparable scientific basis. Based on available information, it's difficult to accurately compare the bite force of different dogs. Therefore, claims like "A Pitbull has a bite force of 1,600 PSI" should be avoided.

So why are these dog attacks so serious?

With pit bulls or pit bull-type dogs, bite force isn't the only issue. The dog's size, physical strength, training, socialization, the situation, the owner's control, and the dog's behavior during the attack are all factors. Therefore, it's not accurate to conclude that every dog ​​within an entire breed is aggressive. Genetics, training, upbringing, and environment all influence a dog's behavior.

Are Pitbulls banned in India?

On March 12, 2024, the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying issued a circular banning the import, breeding, sale, and possession of 23 types of "ferocious and dangerous" dogs, including Pitbull Terriers. Relevant local bodies were also directed not to issue new licenses for such dogs and to sterilize existing dogs. However, this circular was challenged in various courts.

The Delhi High Court struck down the central circular in April 2024, while the Karnataka High Court also objected to it. One of the key issues was whether the dog owners, breeders, and other stakeholders concerned were fully consulted in the process. Subsequently, in January 2025, the central government informed the Bombay High Court that the March 2024 circular was not being implemented and that objections and suggestions had been sought in May 2024.