PANAJI
With hundreds of stray dogs already sterilised under the ongoing campaign by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, a new proposal has been placed before the State government to tackle the shortage of trained dog catchers.
Reliable sources told The Goan that animal welfare NGOs, which have been supporting the sterilisation drive on the ground, flagged the need for more trained personnel to capture strays. To this, the department submitted a proposal to train around 20 youth as dog catchers through the Goa Human Resource Development Corporation (GHRDC).
“The GHRDC was formed to upskill Goa’s workforce in various sectors be it housekeeping, security or other specialized services. Keeping that in mind, we have proposed that 20 youth be trained as dog catchers so they can be deployed swiftly during emergencies,” the source added.
While awaiting government approval, the sterilisation work is already in full swing across coastal stretches. In South Goa, dogs along Betalbatim, Colva, Majorda, Benaulim, and surrounding areas have been sterilised. In North Goa, the teams have covered the Anjuna and Vagator belts, transporting the animals to the WVS shelter in Assagao for sterilisation before releasing them back.
Focus now shifts to Calangute, Sinquerim, Baga and Candolim where sterilisation reportedly began on Friday, with the dogs being taken to a dedicated shelter in Calangute.
Sources further said it will take at least a month to complete this current stretch of the coastal belt. “We have also urged pet owners living near the beaches to get their pets sterilised to avoid accidental breeding that contributes to the stray population… This excludes high-profile breeds,” the source added.
The sterilisation and vaccination drive was first launched in February following a spike in dog bite cases, particularly in the tourist-heavy beaches. The campaign has received technical support from World Veterinary Services (WVS) and Mission Rabies (MR), combining sterilisation efforts with rabies vaccinations.
“This initiative is critical, more so because we share our border with Maharashtra. There’s credible data that shows an upward trend in stray dog birth rates. WVS and Mission Rabies are handling the medical part while we coordinate logistics,” AHVS Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar was quoted as saying.
The campaign has mobilized 1,500 personnel, including 32 vaccination teams, veterinarians, international volunteers and support staff. The government has targeted sterilising around 800 stray dogs in South Goa and 1000-odd in North Goa.
