PANAJI
The Goa Government on Monday introduced 'The Goa Animal Breeding and Domestication (Regulation and Compensation) Bill, 2025' to prohibit the domestication and breeding of ferocious animals in the State.
The Bill, introduced by Minister for Animal Husbandry Nilkanth Halarnkar, states that any person who contravenes the law will face imprisonment of up to three months, a fine of Rs 50,000 and community service. Also, the owners of existing domesticated dogs will be solely held responsible in case of any incident involving the animal.
“The Bill seeks to provide for regulation of breeding and domestication of animals and for matters incidental thereto. The Bill seeks to prohibit domestication and breeding of ferocious animals,” the Bill stated.
According to the Bill, the owner of the ferocious animal, within a period of 30 days from the publication of the notification, will have to inform in writing the Directorate of Animal Husbandry about the existence of the ferocious animal in his possession and shall carry out sterilisation of the breed or class of animal within 60 days.
The Director will have to maintain a register containing all the particulars of the owners and the ferocious animals in the possession of such owners.
“Whoever domesticates, breeds or causes to breed any breed or class of animals in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a period which may extend to three months but shall not be less than 15 days, a fine of rupees fifty thousand, and community service,” the Bill mentioned.
The Bill empowers the family members of the deceased or injured, due to attack by the animal, to claim compensation against the owner within a period of six months from the incident. The claims have to be settled within a period of three months.
The Bill grants protection to the government from any legal proceedings or suits, as the action taken is in good faith.
