Goa Assembly Passes Bill to Regulate 'Ferocious' Pets, Mentions Rottweilers and Pitbulls

Goa: Goa has passed a new law that targets the ownership and breeding of certain "ferocious" animals, with penalties including up to three months in jail. The move follows recent incidents involving dog attacks, including breeds like Rottweilers and Pitbulls.

The Goa Animal Breeding and Domestication (Regulation and Compensation) Bill, 2025, was cleared by the Assembly on Wednesday. While Opposition members; Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Goa Forward Party’s Vijai Sardesai, and Congress MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira called for a deeper debate, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stood firm. He said, “This has been brought keeping in mind the safety of people.”

The bill gives the state government authority to declare any breed or class of animals as ferocious via a notification in the official gazette. Once listed, breeding, keeping, or importing such animals becomes illegal. Pet owners will be required to report existing animals to the Directorate of Animal Husbandry within 30 days of notification, and sterilise them within 60 days. 

Failure to comply may result in a minimum 15-day jail sentence, extendable to three months, along with a ?50,000 fine and mandatory community service. Courts may allow community service in place of imprisonment under specific circumstances.

The legislation also includes provisions for compensation to victims or their families in cases of injury or death caused by listed animals. Claims must be submitted within six months and resolved within three months by the designated authority. A state-level register of ferocious animals will be maintained by the Director of Animal Husbandry.

The state bill follows the central government’s 2024 ban on the import, breeding, and sale of 23 dog breeds deemed a “threat to human life.” The banned breeds include Pitbull Terrier, Rottweiler, Tosa Inu, American Bulldog, Boerboel, Cane Corso, and several mastiff and shepherd variants.