In the wake of a stray dog attack that left a minor girl injured at Antruz Nagar in Ponda, officials from the Animal Husbandry Department, the District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), and NGO People for Animals visited the area to assess the situation and chart a response.
The visit saw the presence of concerned local residents and a stray dog feeder, during which heated arguments broke out over the issue of feeding stray dogs in public areas. Responding to the growing tension, authorities have decided to designate a specific feeding point for the stray dogs in the locality to avoid conflicts and reduce human-animal friction.
Officials also announced that the stray dogs in the area will be sterilised and vaccinated as part of a focused animal management initiative. Additionally, a special awareness session will be conducted for residents to educate them on how to interact safely and responsibly with stray animals.
The move is aimed at ensuring both public safety and animal welfare, while promoting peaceful coexistence between the community and the stray dog population.