Barely a few days after the tragic loss of a toddler in Ponda, mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs, a 6-year-old Russian girl was attacked at Betalbatim beach reigniting the critical issue of stray dogs attacking humans. In the aftermath of this devastating Ponda incident, authorities find themselves scrambling to respond, sparking intense debate about the effectiveness of sterilization drives in curbing aggression among stray dogs. Is sterilisation going to help? While the intentions may be good, they do not address the root causes of the growing threat to public safety.
According to the Directorate of Animal Husbandry, Goa is home to an estimated 56,000 stray dogs, a number that has ballooned in recent years. The statistics are alarming: reported dog bite cases surged from 8,057 in 2022 to a staggering 17,236 in 2024. Such figures should compel action from local governing bodies, yet the same question looms: what concrete measures have been taken to address this alarming trend?
Officials stress the importance of sterilization and vaccination drives, which have been underway since February, yet these seem more like reactive measures than proactive solutions. Just last year, this issue was a centrepiece in the Legislative Assembly, with promises made to implement comprehensive strategies. A year later, nothing much has changed — tourists continue to face attacks on public beaches, and Goa’s reputation as a safe tourist destination hangs precariously in the balance.
Many stakeholders in the tourism industry have expressed dismay over the lack of accountability and planning. The concern is not just over getting a bad name for tourism, it is also about an issue which we as a State are failing to address. The local panchayats and municipalities, tasked with data tracking and control, appear overwhelmed and ineffective.
The narrative that sterilization will resolve the issue ignores critical factors contributing to aggressive behaviour in dogs. Disorganised feeding methods may be largely responsible for violent behaviour in dogs, but that can’t be the only factor. The need is to have a holistic view of the entire issue keeping in mind the welfare of dogs and the safety of people. The current sterilisation programme does not address the pressing need for immediate solutions to keep residents and tourists safe. Some experts have called for designated shelters or rehabilitation homes for strays, a long-term solution that requires commitment and foresight from state officials. The proposed rehab centre at Verna remains stagnant, exposing a lack of will for a follow-up.
Local governing bodies must prioritize collaboration, not just during crises but as a continuous process of community engagement to devise and implement solutions. The current scattered approach lacks the urgency required to tackle a problem that now poses a serious threat to human life — a concern fully highlighted by the tragic death of the toddler at Ponda.
Let us not delude ourselves into thinking that campaigns like sterilization alone will provide solutions. Until the root causes of aggressive behaviour in stray dogs are addressed, including hunger, territoriality, and human negligence, these incidents will continue to haunt the State. The recent attacks serve as a stark reminder that the time for action is now. The government must respond with intent and seriousness, lest we continue to mourn preventable tragedies like that of the innocent child in Ponda.
