Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jul 28: In a deeply troubling incident that has intensified concerns over public safety and pet regulations, a nine-year-old girl was severely mauled by a pitbull in the Indiranagar area of Chimbel on Saturday afternoon.

The attack occurred around 3 PM when the young girl, a resident of the same locality, was unexpectedly assaulted by the dog. She sustained multiple injuries and was immediately rushed to Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim, where she is currently undergoing treatment.

Responding swiftly, officials from the Old Goa Police Station, under the direction of Police Inspector Satish Padwalkar and Sub-Inspector Jasvita Naik, visited the scene. A case was promptly registered, and the dog’s owner, Riyaz Mallur, was arrested for negligence and violation of pet safety norms.

The incident has reignited debate around the keeping of dangerous dog breeds in residential areas, especially following the recent passage of a state law banning the domestication and breeding of ferocious dogs. The new legislation, approved by the Goa Legislative Assembly last week, empowers the state to declare any breed “ferocious” and introduces regulations for the ownership and breeding of such animals.

Alarmingly, this marks the third serious dog attack in Goa in under 10 days.
• In Anawada, Candolim, a 60-year-old man was injured in a Rottweiler attack just days earlier.
• In Bogmalo, a pedestrian was reportedly bitten by a pet dog near Aathi Resort, raising fresh concerns over leash laws and owner accountability.

Residents and animal welfare activists alike are now urging the government to urgently implement and enforce the new law, along with strict penalties for violators and public awareness campaigns.

As the young victim recovers, the spotlight is now firmly on pet safety regulations, responsible ownership, and the pressing need to curb the rising threat posed by aggressive dog breeds in urban areas.