Goa to Ban Pitbulls, Rottweilers After String of Incidents Involving ‘Dangerous’ Breeds

Goa: Pitbulls and rottweilers may soon be banned in the state of Goa. According to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the Cabinet approved the ban on ‘Rottweiler’ and ‘Pitbull’ breeds in the state. This decision comes in the wake of numerous incidents involving “aggressive” dog breeds.

One such incident came last month, when a 40-year-old man was injured after being bitten by a pet Rottweiler in Assagao in North Goa. The Assagao village panchayat then issued a notice, requesting owners of such breeds “not to leave and roam with their pets in open public places”, adding that the offence would be considered as “punishable”.

In his address to the media after the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said the state government will introduce an amendment to the Goa animal breeding and domestic regulations and compensation ordinance 2024, to include a ban on the breeding, sale, and import of Rottweiler’ and ‘Pitbull’ breeds.

“We have approved an amendment (to the ordinance) to ban Pitbulls and Rottweilers,” Sawant told the media. He also noted that those who already own these dog breeds must register them and “undertake responsibility” for them.

Another incident occurred last August, where a seven-year-old boy was fatally attacked by a Pitbull in Anjuna, north Goa. The boy was with his mother, accompanying her to her employer’s house, where the employer’s dog bit the child on his neck and body. The incident sparked outrage and led to the public clamouring for stricter regulations and a ban on “ferocious” dog breeds. 

Shortly after the incident, the department of animal husbandry and veterinary services issued a notification, stating that dog owners would face legal action.  “It is imperative in public interest that the dog/pet owner behaves responsibly and ensures that his pet causes no harm or physical injury to any human or animal, whatsoever. It is held that any pet owner who behaves irresponsibly allowing his pet to become nuisance to the general public/society, will have to face legal action as deemed fit, under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and rules framed thereunder,” it said.

This is not the first time this contentious issue has been discussed in Goa; In September 2023, CM Sawant said that the government was considering banning some “aggressive” breeds of dogs, recalling an incident where a rottweiler jumped over the gate of a house and attacked two children, seriously injuring one of them.