Mumbai, July 22 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India) on Tuesday urged Maharashtra government to implement a policy prohibiting the breeding, sale, and keeping of certain foreign dog breeds that have been "deliberately" bred for illegal fighting and aggression.

It came after an incident last week wherein a 43-year-old man encouraged his pit bull to attack an 11-year-old boy in Mumbai, leaving him with injuries. A video of the incident also went viral on social media and drew widespread criticism.

In a letter to Dr K H Govindraj, Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department, PETA India, said that breeds such as "Pit Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, Pakistani Bully Kuttas, Dogo Argentinos, Presa Canarios, Fila ...