The stray dog menace in Goa is getting out of control and the population keeps multiplying in leaps and bounds in every nook and corner of the State.
At first, it was cities like Margao which were overcrowded with stray dogs but now even villages are infested with stray dogs.
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Packs of fierce canines have extended their reign of terror on Goa’s beaches with several incidents of canines attacking tourists and locals have been reported. Even life savers have not been spared by the loitering canines.
Goa is heavily dependent on tourism, however, constant dog attacks on tourists isn’t welcome news to hear with experts fearing that dog gangs could ‘bite’ the State’s safe brand.
And if holidaying tourists start getting mercilessly attacked by stray dogs, it is high time the Tourism department as also the Goa government engages with local bodies like Village Panchayat and non governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in dog welfare, roped in to form a team effort to manage the increasing population of strays. There are also a large number of children who get chased and attacked by dogs while on their way to school.
Most of these unfortunate cases go unreported and the helpless victims are left to fend for themselves and deal with the trauma of dog bites.
The steps taken to combat this menace have to be immediate as it has been a long pending and delayed issue which has been left to fester and is now making news as an increased number of tourists and local beach goers get hounded by stray dogs along the coastline.
Also, we need to have stringent guidelines for locals and tourists who walk their dogs on the beach amidst crowds of beach goers during peak hours.
Often, we have seen nasty arguments between errant dog owners, locals or tourists.
Most beach goers are not comfortable with dogs sniffing at their feet, peeing in bags or barking at children and or senior citizens.
The above is becoming a common sight and even early morning beach walkers and joggers feel the discomfort of people taking their dogs for a walk, at times in the middle of crowded beaches during evenings.
Goa’s beaches are full with dog droppings causing great discomfort to local beach goers and tourists.
This menace is a big threat to tourism and shack business- both a very important aspect of Goa’s tourism.
With due respect to dog lovers as pets, feeding dogs close to the shoreline, especially during crowded beach hours has to be completely banned and designated areas could be outlined for the same.
Recently, a group of summer vacationing school children were cycling along the road and suddenly a few dogs started chasing them. The small number soon orchestrated into a major flock which chased and attacked the cyclists around noon on the Benaulim beach road in South Goa.
Luckily, some local tourists and fishermen returning back to their accommodation after a fishing trip at sea, intervened to save the children from a near fatal attack.
With dog attacks increasing in Goa, both on land as well as beaches, its high time authorities press the panic button and ensure stringent laws and regulations are put in place to control dog population at the earliest as the next stray dog attack could be just around the corner and it could be you and me or our near and dear ones.
May better sense prevail, the sooner the better.
