CALANGUTE: In a span of two weeks in May, three on-duty lifeguards patrolling Goa’s beaches have been bitten by stray dogs. The incidents
highlight a growing concern about stray dogs on Goa’s popular beaches, affecting both locals and tourists.
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On Wednesday, lifesaver Roshan Patil was bitten while patrolling Betalbatim beach and was taken to the Primary Health Centre at Cansaulim for treatment and vaccination.
The previous day, Sarvesh Tandial, another lifesaver, was bitten at Calangute beach while Sashikant Jadhav, a lifesaver and operations manager, was bitten thrice by a stray dog while patrolling Mandrem beach on an e-cycle last week. He was treated at North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa.
Several tourists also reported being attacked by dogs in May, with most cases occurring on Colva
and Benaulim beaches. A senior citizen on his morning run was recently chased by stray dogs on Colva beach, while actor Rayya Labib sustained bruises and scratches inflicted by stray dogs in a separate incident.
Last week, a 24-year-old Russian woman was bitten while cycling on Benaulim beach and was rescued by fishermen.
Similarly, a woman from Loutolim was bitten six to seven times on Benaulim beach before being rescued by some tourists She had to seek treatment at her village health centre .
In April, lifeguards intervened in two separate incidents involving foreign nationals bitten by stray dogs at Benaulim beach. A 35-year-old Russian woman was bitten by five dogs and a Canadian woman was chased and bitten by four dogs.
