MAPUSA
On May 21, Sarvesh Tandial, a dedicated lifesaver with Drishti Marine, was bitten by a stray dog while patrolling the Calangute beach.
This incident came just a week after another severe attack where Sashikant Jadhav, operations manager for Drishti Marine, was bitten thrice by a stray dog while patrolling Mandrem beach on an e-cycle.
These incidents are not isolated, as reports of stray dog bites on the beaches have become increasingly common.
The stretch from Candolim to Morjim along the North Goa coastal belt has seen a surge in the stray dog population. These dogs often roam in packs, posing a significant danger to beachgoers.
Candolim Sarpanch, Blaize Fernandes, has acknowledged the numerous complaints about stray dogs on the beach.
“These strays are a nuisance to tourists and locals alike. The panchayat helps in sterilizing and vaccinating the dogs for anti-rabies, but beyond that, we are helpless in controlling their movement on the beach,” Fernandes stated.
He urged the government to consider building a dog shelter to relocate these strays.
Former panchayat member of Morjim, Tushar Shetgaonkar, echoed similar concerns, admitting that the stray dog menace has been a significant problem for both tourists and locals.
“Just two days ago, a tourist was attacked by a stray dog near the turtle nesting site in Morjim. Thankfully, some local boys came to the rescue of the tourist,” Shetgaonkar recounted.
Residents are also
feeling the impact
Ramesh Naik, a resident of Anjuna, expressed fear over the stray dogs that roam not only on the beaches but also on village roads, causing a “The problem is not restricted to the beach. The strays roam even on village roads and create a nuisance for people,” Naik said.
Calangute MLA, Michael Lobo, expressed shock and concern over the increasing stray dog population on the beaches.
“The number of strays has increased so much that they have restricted the movement of people on the beaches. People are scared to go to the beaches because of the menace of stray dogs,” Lobo said, adding that tourists were leaving with bad memories.
He called for immediate action from both the panchayats and the department of animal husbandry to address the issue.
Lobo criticized the department of animal husbandry for their inaction.
“The department of animal husbandry is sleeping. It appears the department does not exist. They do nothing. All cattle are seen on the roads,” the coastal MLA lamented.
The growing stray dog menace on North Goa beaches is a serious concern that needs prompt and effective intervention from authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of both tourists and locals.
