Toddler mauled to death by stray dogs in Ponda

PANAJI
In yet another disturbing incident reviving the debate on the growing stray dog menace, a one-and-a-half-year-old girl was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs at Talem, Durgabhat in Bethoda near Ponda town early Friday morning.

The toddler, who had arrived at her maternal uncle’s house in Bethoda from Curti just the previous night, reportedly wandered outside the house at around 6 am. CCTV footage has captured the heartbreaking moment when the child walked out of the gate alone, moments before the brutal attack.

As per the Ponda police, the child was initially attacked by two dogs before the rest of the pack – estimated to be 10-15 – joined in, mauling her viciously. Though she was rushed to the district hospital in Ponda, doctors in the casualty confirmed she had succumbed to her injuries before treatment could begin.

Speaking to The Goan, a police officer described the scene as “traumatic” and confirmed that they have taken up the issue with the local municipality and NGOs involved in animal welfare. “While a sterilisation drive is ongoing, we have now appealed to the two stakeholders to act more urgently. Human lives cannot be compromised,” the officer said.

Local sources revealed that the area where the incident occurred is frequently used as an informal dumping ground, drawing large groups of stray dogs searching for food.

Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Ravi Naik stated that while the municipality is responsible for vaccinating stray dogs, the law prohibits any harm to them.

“Several areas, including where this incident took place, have high stray populations, largely because locals feed them. I urge all parents to be extremely vigilant with their children. My heart goes out to the grieving family,” he said.

He further added that sterilisation efforts are ongoing across Goa with South district’s coastal belt already covered and work progressing in North Goa’s beaches.

The sterilisation and vaccination drive was launched in February after a spike in dog bite cases, particularly in the tourist-heavy beaches.

The Goan, on April 12, had reported that the Department submitted a proposal before the State government to tackle the shortage of trained dog catchers by training around 20 youth through the Goa Human Resource Development Corporation (GHRDC).

Stray dog numbers have swelled to an estimated 56,000 with reported bite cases recorded at 8,057 in 2022 to 11,904 in 2023, and soared to 17,236 in 2024 – more than doubling in two years.