Team Herald
MARGAO: Cavelossim Panchayat has requested the villagers who have been randomly feeding stray dogs to assist the panchayat in taking care of the dog population in the village.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
A recent surge in stray dog attacks at Cavelossim-Mobor beach prompted local authorities to take immediate action, with fourteen incidents involving tourists reported over the past few weeks. These attacks have predominantly occurred during the evening hours before sunset, with packs of dogs targeting both Russian and Indian visitors.
In response to this escalating concern, Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz convened an emergency meeting on Sunday, gathering representatives from starred hotels, local stakeholders, and animal welfare advocates. Local panchayat member Jesus D’Costa, who operates water sports activities and is well-acquainted with the beach area, attributed the aggressive behaviour to irregular feeding patterns by beachgoers.
“Some people feed them occasionally rather than maintaining a regular schedule, which is making the dogs aggressive. The targeting of foreigners, particularly Russians, is a new and concerning development,” D’Costa explained.
Sofia Silva Monteiro, a panch member and dog lover who manages the panchayat’s dog shelter, has appealed to the public to redirect their feeding efforts through official channels. “We are already providing meals twice daily and ensuring proper care at our shelter. Rather than feeding dogs on roadsides, people should coordinate with us or the panchayat,” she emphasised.
Sarpanch Vaz has announced stricter regulations on dog feeding, requiring individuals who wish to feed strays to register with the panchayat first. “We’re not opposed to animals, but the situation has become unmanageable and requires immediate intervention,” Vaz stated. He highlighted that the panchayat has established a comprehensive system, including dog shelters, cages, and regular feeding programmes with cooked food and clean water.
He added that the panchayat’s approach involves collaborating with dedicated dog lovers who ensure regular feeding at designated locations. “Random feeding just for the sake of it must stop,” Vaz insisted, encouraging people to instead donate to the panchayat’s organised feeding programme. The authority has also arranged for medical attention for sick dogs as part of their holistic management strategy.
Stakeholders have expressed their support for this initiative, believing it represents a balanced approach to addressing both public safety concerns and animal welfare. By centralising feeding efforts and providing structured care through the existing shelter facility, the panchayat aims to reduce aggressive behaviour while ensuring that the strays are properly cared for. Officials are optimistic that these measures will yield positive results in the coming days, potentially decreasing the number of incidents on the popular beach stretch.
