Survived attack by herd of bulls in Saligao in November 2024
A file photo of bulls locking horns in Porvorim.
PANAJI
Following the tragedy of a 40-year-old man who died from injuries after bulls charged at him in Shristhal-Canacona on New Year’s Eve, a Goan in the UK is keen to raise awareness on the dangers of bulls in Goa after her own harrowing ordeal of being attacked by bulls in Saligao barely a month earlier.
Narrating the traumatic incident to The Goan, Anna (41) said she was on a holiday in Goa, when she was attacked in an unprovoked assault by a herd of bulls in Muddavadi-Saligao.
“I was walking down a public lane at 10.30 am on November 28, 2024, and turned a sharp corner to see 3-4 bulls who charged at me. They dragged me across the ground and gored me with their horns. My left chest skin was all cut, my back was cut in a line by their horns, and I sustained painful bruises and superficial cuts across my body, which took several weeks to heal,” said Anna.
She also suffered a sprained wrist after being pushed to the ground by the bulls.
“The force of the bulls was so strong, that my T-shirt, underwear, trousers and jacket were ripped due to the bulls' horns which gored me. My steel water bottle was crushed.”
Anna survived with no open wounds or injuries to her face and was promptly seen by a nurse and doctor at the Saligao Primary Health Centre who prescribed antibiotics and painkillers. All superficial cuts were thoroughly cleaned and treated.
“After the attack, I was too scared to walk anywhere and suffered flashbacks as I had nowhere to run in the narrow lane. I have learnt the bulls have allegedly attacked the owner before in the same area. The owner should have better control over the bulls, and they should not be allowed to walk the public lanes.”
“I’m back in London and I have recovered, but sustained scars which will take time to fade. It was an awful experience,” exclaimed Anna.
Anna said she wanted to warn people because the attack on her could easily have been fatal.
“In February 2024, a British tourist was gored by a bull in Benaulim and a French woman in Palolem. People could die if the bulls crushed the body or struck the head or face. I was more concerned following the news of a death caused by bulls in Shristhal-Canacona, just a month after my attack.”
“I strongly believe that local people and tourists should be made aware of the dangers of bulls. This is not reassuring for tourists visiting Goa who may not have encountered wild animals walking in public areas before. I just want to caution people to be safe and to take care,” Anna said.
