MAPUSA
The Mapusa Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court has acquitted 68-year-old Shyam Govekar in a case arising from an alleged Rottweiler attack on his neighbour at Badem-Assagao in January 2025.
Govekar was facing a charge under Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to negligent conduct with respect to an animal.
The case stemmed from an incident on January 29, 2025, when 40-year-old Vinil Salgaonkar was allegedly attacked by Govekar’s Rottweiler while he was walking home at around 10.15 pm. According to the police, the dog was unleashed and bit Salgaonkar on his leg. He was subsequently taken to the Siolim Health Centre for treatment.
Following the incident, Salgaonkar’s brother Sunil lodged a complaint with the Anjuna police, alleging that the dog’s owner had failed to take necessary precautions to prevent the animal from posing a danger to people.
Police subsequently registered an offence against Govekar under Section 291 of the BNS.
During the proceedings, however, the victim and complainant informed the court that the dispute had been amicably settled.
They withdrew their allegations against the accused and did not support the prosecution case.
In view of the settlement and the absence of evidence sufficient to establish the charge, the court found that there was no material on record to sustain the prosecution against Govekar and consequently acquitted him.
