Team Herald
PANJIM: Owners who keep ferocious dogs will now have to mandatorily file an affidavit stating that they will take the onus for any untoward incident caused by their pet.
“Dog owners in Goa will have to submit a notarized affidavit in prescribed format to the Animal Husbandry Department to the effect that they will be responsible for any harm or physical injury caused by their pet animal to human beings and will be liable to bear the cost of medical treatment of the victim apart from suitable compensation,” a notification issued on Thursday, September 12, said.
“It is imperative in public interest that the dog owner behaves responsibly and ensures that his pet causes no harm or physical injury to any human being or animal, whatsoever. Also, Notarized Affidavit in the prescribed format to the effect that the owner of the pet animal will be responsible for any harm or physical injury caused by their pet animal to human beings and will be liable to bear the cost of medical treatment of the victim apart from suitable compensation," the notification said.
It said any pet owner, who behaves irresponsibly allowing his pet to become nuisance to the general public or society, will have to face the legal action as deemed fit, under the relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and rules framed there under.
This stringent policy follows a string of incidents involving aggressive breeds like pitbulls and rottweilers attacking humans as well as children and one which resulted in a fatality in the wake of a 9-yr-old child being mauled to death at Anjuna last month.