Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Goa government has initiated the process to classify four dog breeds—Pitbull, Rottweiler, Cane Corso, and Dogo Argentino—as “ferocious animals” under the Goa Animal Breeding and Domestication (Regulation and Compensation) Act. A public notice has been issued, inviting objections and suggestions before the final notification is published.
Addressing a starred question in the Assembly raised by MLA Venzy Viegas, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar said the breeds have been identified by the department for formal notification under Section 3 of the Act.
“The breeds Pitbull, Rottweiler, Cane Corso, and Dogo Argentino have been earmarked for classification as ferocious animals. We have invited objections from the public, which will be considered before issuing the final notification,” the minister said.
He added that owners of animals declared as ferocious will bear full responsibility for their pets’ actions. This includes any injuries caused to humans or other animals by these dogs.
Minister Halarnkar clarified that no cases relating to sterilisation or certification of these breeds have been registered so far, as the official notification is yet to be issued. The prohibition on breeding or domesticating these animals will take effect only after publication in the official gazette—a process that the department has already initiated.
In response to another query, the minister said the government will instruct municipal authorities and panchayats to implement immediate safety measures, especially during the peak tourist season.
“This department will write to local bodies through the Directorate of Municipal Administration and the Directorate of Panchayats to ensure public safety during the tourist season,” he stated.
The minister also referred to a Supreme Court directive dated November 7, 2025, which makes it the responsibility of municipal authorities to remove stray dogs from educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, and railway stations. These animals must then be transferred to designated shelters after sterilisation and vaccination in line with the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
