WITH STRAY DOGS' STERILISATION UNDERWAY...
PANAJI
The 20-month-old girl mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in Ponda has brought local governing bodies under sharp public scrutiny with questions about their responsibilities -- and failure -- in managing street dog populations across Goa being raised.
While the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AHVS) is responsible for supporting sterilization drives, officials said municipalities and panchayats are tasked with executing ground-level control measures. Their role includes maintaining records, tracking dog populations, responding to complaints and ensuring timely sterilization and vaccination of strays.
“We only provide grants to local bodies, NGOs and registered agencies. The actual handling of the situation on the ground is within the domain of the local bodies. We cooperate and coordinate but don’t enforce directly,” AHVS Director Dr Nitin Naik said, speaking to The Goan.
As per official figures, Goa has around 56,000 stray dogs. The dog bite cases have climbed 114 percent in two years with 8,057 cases in 2022, 11,904 in 2023 and 17,236 in 2024. A total of 1,789 bite cases were recorded this January itself.
The approaching monsoon season has revived annual anxiety -- what happens to the hundreds of stray dogs when beach shacks close, food sources dry up, and hunger drives them into neighborhoods and public spaces?
The tourism stakeholders have expressed concern seeking accountability, and designated areas to house the strays. “There’s an urgent need for sterilization and designated feeding zones,” the President of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa Jack Sukhija said.
TTAG’s past President Nilesh Shah said this kind of problem cannot be dealt with just after a tragedy as he referred to the fatal attack on the toddler. “Sterilisation drives are being conducted, yes, but that isn’t a solution by itself. Where is the accountability? Where is the plan,” he questioned.
Shah further pointed out that stray dog attacks are also increasingly reported from public spaces including beaches, while pointing at tourists being bitten by stray dogs. “It affects tourism and local safety. Although there are several reasons for decline in footfalls, such incidents bring a bad image to Goa,” he said suggesting a rehabilitation plan.
“Stray dogs need to be brought under one roof, rehabilitated, cared for and appropriate action taken. It's high time we prioritize this issue and work toward a lasting solution.”
Former Managing Director of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Nikhil Desai had proposed a rehabilitation home at Verna, where GTDC owns the property. However, the project has not materialized.
“If we want to improve the image of Goa, this issue must be resolved. It requires micromanagement,” a senior GTDC official said.
Dominick, a member of the shack association, demanded that shelters, round-the-clock response teams and tracking systems to monitor both dog movements and the impact of sterilization should be given priority.
