PANAJI
The State government has mandated notarised affidavits from pet owners, holding them liable for any harm/injury caused by their pets to humans as it revised the policy for street and pet dog caregiving in the form of guidelines 2023.
In the notification released on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, the government also asked the owners to bear treatment costs and compensate the victims of pet bites while warning action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Rules against irresponsible owners.
“Notarised affidavit in the prescribed format to the effect that the owner of the pet animal will be responsible for any harm/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,” it stated.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services’ notification insisted that it was imperative in the public interest that the dog/pet owner behave responsibly and ensure these pets do not harm any humans or animals.
“Also, it is held that any pet owner who behaves irresponsibly allowing his pet to become a nuisance to the general public/ society, will have to face legal action as deemed fit, under the relevant sections of the BNS and PCA Act and Rules,” it added. However, there’s no clarity on whether the notification covers the existing pet owners too.
The revised policy comes at the backdrop of a series of dog bite incidents with a recent fatal attack in Anjuna that claimed the life of a 10-year-old boy. The department has specifically mentioned that due to irresponsible behaviour of pet owners, breeds of Rottweiler and Pit bull have been involved in ferocious attacks.
“It is not about Pit bull or American bulldog, dog is a dog that is roaming the streets. It is a dog owned by pet owners. Therefore, it is the pet owners who would be responsible for the safety of citizens and other animals around. If they want to own the pet which is ferocious or otherwise, it would be the responsibility of such pet owners to oversee the safety of citizens and animals around them. They are to be held accountable for any kind of irresponsible pet ownership,” reads the order of the High Court of Karnataka in April 2024, which has been highlighted by the Goa government in the revised policy.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had last month assured to enforce a revised policy on similar lines to tighten noose around irresponsible pet owners.
