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Goa’s Dog Breed Ban: What It Means for Rottweilers & Pit Bull Pet Parents
The Goan govt has banned Rottweilers & Pitbulls in the state. But why was this ban imposed? What’s next? and what steps should dog parents take? Shobhit M. explains.
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In a move that has left many pet parents worried, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced that Goa will soon ban the sale, breeding, and import of Rottweilers and Pitbulls. Sawant said the state government will bring an amendment to the Goa animal breeding and domestic regulations and compensation ordinance, 2024 to implement the ban. No date of implementation has yet been provided by the government.
Why Has the Government Imposed This Ban?
The Goa government cited safety concerns as the primary reason for the ban, especially in light of recent dog bite incidents. Refer to these articles to know more about these incidents:
- https://www.heraldgoa.in/goa/goa/assagao-man-claims-he-was-attacked-twice-by-same-rottweiler/418882
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/7-year-old-boy-dies-after-pitbull-attack-in-anjuna/articleshow/112905440.cms
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/rottweiler-mauls-2-kids-at-taleigao-dog-owner-booked/articleshow/102917952.cms
What Does This Mean for Parents of Rottweilers & Pit Bulls?
If you’re a pet parent to a Rottweiler or Pitbull in Goa, you may be feeling anxious about what happens next. Will your dog be taken away? Are you still allowed to keep them? How can you ensure their safety and well-being under these new regulations? Don’t worry, nothing is going to happen to you or your dogs.
The Dog Breed Ban doesn’t mention any action on pet parents who already have rottweilers or pit bulls, or their dogs. It only mentions that the SALE, BREEDING or IMPORT of these dog breeds has been banned. This will only impact breeders and those who are looking to adopt Rottweilers/Pit Bulls in the future. There should be no impact on existing pet parents of these breeds.
CM Sawant did however mention that those who already own Rottweilers and Pit bulls must register them, and “undertake responsibility” for them. Pet parents who were planning to breed their Rotties or Pit bulls must strictly refrain from doing so. However, nothing has changed on this end as home breeding of unregistered dogs is already banned in India.
The Dog Breed Ban doesn’t mention any action on pet parents who already have rottweilers or pit bulls, or their dogs. It only mentions that the SALE, BREEDING or IMPORT of these dog breeds has been banned. This will only impact breeders and those who are looking to adopt Rottweilers/Pit Bulls in the future. There should be no impact on existing pet parents of these breeds.
CM Sawant did however mention that those who already own Rottweilers and Pit bulls must register them, and “undertake responsibility” for them. Pet parents who were planning to breed their Rotties or Pit bulls must strictly refrain from doing so. However, nothing has changed on this end as home breeding of unregistered dogs is already banned in India.
How Should Pet Parents Prepare for This Dog Breed Ban?
Please note that this order has not been implemented yet. This will only be implemented once the Goa Animal Breeding and Domestic Regulations and Compensation Ordinance, 2024 is passed. You still have some time to prepare and ensure you are on the right side of the law. Here’s a few things you must do soon:
- Register Your Dog Immediately: Find out the process for pet registration from your local municipal office and get it done at the earliest. This will ensure that your dog is recognized as your legal pet under the new regulations.
- Keep All Your Documents Ready: Maintain records of vaccinations, microchip details (if applicable), and any other relevant documents to avoid trouble.
- Ensure Your Dog Is Well-Trained and Socialized: Such measures are only brought in by the government when cases of dog bites/aggression rise. Ensuring your dog is well-trained and not causing harm to others will help prevent further action in the future and allow everyone to co-exist harmoniously.
- Join a Community of Fellow Pet Parents: Support from other Rottweiler and Pitbull owners can help you navigate these new rules, share resources, and advocate for responsible pet ownership. At thePack.in, we have a group of responsible parents who are always supporting each other, click here to join.
- Stay Updated on Legal Changes: Keep an eye on further announcements to ensure you’re following all necessary rules while protecting your pet’s rights. These two government websites should help to keep track: Goa Gov Press Releases and Goa Online.
Is a Dog Breed Ban the Right Approach?
Breed-specific bans have always been controversial. While no one can fault the government’s intention, there's little evidence to prove that breed bans reduce dog bite incidents. Aggression is a behavioural issue, not necessarily a breed trait. Most certified canine experts agree that a dog’s temperament depends more on the dog’s upbringing, training, and socialization than genetics.
Instead of banning specific breeds, a more effective approach would be enforcing stricter regulations on how dogs are bred and raised in our country as well as ensuring better education for first-time pet parents.
As responsible pet parents, we must ensure our dogs are well-behaved members of the community by following essential etiquette, such as:
While the Goa breed ban is unsettling, remember that your dog is still yours, and you have every right to provide them with a safe, loving home. By understanding the new rules, preparing for the changes, and advocating for responsible pet ownership, you can continue to live happily together without fear.
If you’re affected by this ban and need support, please do reach out to us at support@thePack.in or join our pet parent community to get help from others around you. The most important thing is to stay informed, stay within the rules, and above all, continue to love and care for your dog as you always have.
Instead of banning specific breeds, a more effective approach would be enforcing stricter regulations on how dogs are bred and raised in our country as well as ensuring better education for first-time pet parents.
As responsible pet parents, we must ensure our dogs are well-behaved members of the community by following essential etiquette, such as:
- Do Your Research: We should only get dogs after doing rigorous research on the breed, what must be done to meet their needs, and considering how they will fit into our lifestyle.
- Train & Manage Behaviour: If we know about behaviour issues in our dogs, we must proactively work with trainers/behaviourists to help them cope.
- Leash in Public: We must not have our dogs off-leash in public spaces, especially those that are crowded. Not everyone is a dog lover, and some might get afraid when they see a Rottweiler or Pit Bull approaching them. This will only lead to increasing conflict between pet parents and non-pet owners.
- Pick Up Poop: Always pick up your dog’s poop after them. Hygiene is one of the top reasons for conflict within communities, so let’s do our best to ensure a clean environment for everyone.
While the Goa breed ban is unsettling, remember that your dog is still yours, and you have every right to provide them with a safe, loving home. By understanding the new rules, preparing for the changes, and advocating for responsible pet ownership, you can continue to live happily together without fear.
If you’re affected by this ban and need support, please do reach out to us at support@thePack.in or join our pet parent community to get help from others around you. The most important thing is to stay informed, stay within the rules, and above all, continue to love and care for your dog as you always have.
Keywords:
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