Walking your dog in Goa? Face masks and leashes soon to be mandatory

Panaji: Minister for Livestock and Veterinary Affairs (AHVS) Nilkanth Harlankar has proposed strict new rules for dog owners in Goa, which he said will be announced this week. The new rules were introduced in the wake of the incident in Anjunawhere a seven-year-old boy was fatally mauled by a pit bull while visiting a neighbor.
“The file has already been released and is available for publication on the Official Journal. The new regulations will be announced this week. We have rules and guidelines for stray dogs, but there are no guidelines for domestic dogs,” Harlankar told TOI.
The minister has ordered that all dog owners must now keep their dogs on a leash and wear a face mask when out in public. In addition, pet owners must register their dogs and sign an affidavit accepting full responsibility for the behavior of their pets.
“We do not want another incident like Anjuna,” Harlankar said. “To ensure the safety of the public, we are enforcing these measures. If the dog is taken outside the owner's private property, it must wear a strong, secure chain leash and face shield. If a dog leaves the premises and causes damage, the owner will be held fully responsible,” he said.
He also warned dog owners about the potential spread of the rabies virus. “In the event of a rabies infection, the owner is obliged to notify the authorities immediately. No one should be harmed by the dog or another animal should be lost,” he said.
Following the Anjuna incident, PETA India wrote to the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department in Goa, urging the government to introduce a law banning the breeding, sale and keeping of aggressive dog breeds.