In a decisive step to curb the illegal practice of bullfighting, locally known as Dhirios, the Goa Government has issued a fresh directive mandating the microchipping and registration of all bulls in the state.
The notification, released on August 18 by the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AHVS), comes amid growing pressure for stricter enforcement of the long-standing ban on bullfights. The prohibition was first mandated in 1996 following a landmark ruling by the High Court of Bombay at Goa, which held that bullfights violated the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Despite the ban, Dhirios have continued to be organized across parts of Goa, often drawing criticism from animal welfare activists. In 2021, People for Animals, Goa, even filed a contempt petition against the state government for failing to implement the prohibition effectively.
The government’s latest move aims to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and ensure accountability by making every bull traceable through microchipping, thereby preventing their use in illegal fights.