‘Ferocious’ tag for 10-15 dogs, Rs 50K fine for non-registration

Panaji: Goa govt is finalising a list of ferocious dog breeds, with 10 animals selected from a previous list of 25 dogs identified by the Centre last year. Five more breeds are being considered for addition to the list by the state directorate of animal husbandry and veterinary services, with a notification expected this month.
Owners of these dogs will be required to register them with govt as stipulated by the new regulations. Failure to comply within a month will result in a fine of Rs 50,000 and three-month imprisonment.
“Pet owners who already have these dogs will have to register with the directorate of animal husbandry and veterinary services. This is mandatory,” said the directorate’s director, Nitin Naik. “If pet owners do not register their dogs with us, they violate the rules.”
He said pet owners who don’t comply with the rules in a month will face legal action. “The owners will be fined Rs 50,000 and imprisoned for three months,” he added.
Currently, the new rules have no provision to grant compensation to the victims of dog attacks.
“The notification for ferocious breeds is in process with 10 animals decided for the list. These 10 animals have been selected from the 25 dogs listed by central govt last year,” Naik said. “However, we are planning to add five more animals to this list for Goa.”
Last year, the Centre urged state govts to impose a ban on the import, sale, and breeding of 25 ferocious dog breeds, citing them as a threat to human life. The Centre’s department of animal husbandry and dairying sent a letter to the chief secretaries of states and Union territories to ensure the imposition of the ban with immediate effect from March 12, 2024.
Last month, Goa’s state cabinet announced a ban on two breeds — rottweilers and pit bull terriers — preventing their import, sale, and breeding in Goa. Chief minister Pramod Sawant announced this decision citing serious public safety concerns following several distressing incidents involving these breeds.
Sawant said that the current owners of rottweilers and pit bulls must register their pets with the state.They will be required to sign an affidavit accepting full responsibility for any harm caused by their dogs. “Those who already own these dogs will have to state that they take full responsibility that the dog will not bite or harm anybody. None will be able to import these breeds henceforth into Goa,” he said.
This regulation will be added to the Goa Animal Breeding, Domestic Regulations, and Compensation Ordinance, 2024.