In the wake of industrialist Ratan Tata’s passing, social media was flooded with claims that his pet dog, Goa, had died shortly after him. Many users shared a video showing the dog sitting beside Tata’s tricolour-draped casket, fueling speculation about its fate.
Misleading Social Media Posts
One viral post lamented, “Sad news. Ratan Tata’s pet dog Goa dies after 3 days of his death. That’s why they say that dogs are more faithful to their masters than human beings!” However, ChannelIAM Fact Check investigated these allegations and confirmed that they are indeed false.
Verification from Authorities
ChannelIAM Fact Check traced the origin of the rumour to an Instagram post by Sudhir Kudalkar, a senior police inspector at the MHB Colony police station in Borivali West, Mumbai. Kudalkar stated that Ratan Tata’s dog is alive and well, as confirmed by Tata’s close aide, Shantanu Naidu. In his post, he urged followers not to circulate such misleading information.
Advocate for Animal Welfare
Sudhir Kudalkar is well-known for his love of animals, regularly feeding stray dogs near the police station and sharing videos of them online. His dedication to animal welfare has been recognized by organisations like PETA and the Animal Welfare Board, further establishing his credibility.
The Story Behind Goa
Years ago, Ratan Tata adopted Goa after the stray dog followed him during a trip to Goa. Tata took the dog to Mumbai, naming him after the place he came from. Notably, both the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai and the Tata Group’s headquarters, Bombay House, are known for their open doors to stray animals.
Clarifying Misleading Videos
In addition to the false claims about Goa’s death, another video circulated online, allegedly showing a dog attempting to climb onto a coffin in tribute to Tata. This claim was also fact-checked and proven to be misleading.
In conclusion, ChannelIAM Fact Check has firmly established that the claims regarding Ratan Tata’s dog Goa are false, and the loyal companion remains alive.
