Move over, cows and camels — Goa’s real livestock celebrity is a lone mule in North Goa, living his best life under a coconut tree, blissfully unaware that he now represents an entire species in the State.
According to the latest livestock census, Goa has exactly one mule, ten elephants, two camels — and, curiously, more elephants than registered dog breeders. Yes, really.
The 21stLivestock Census, conducted between November 2024 and April 2025, officially records 2,57,140 livestock and 3,49,543 poultry in the State. Goa also boasts a canine population of 86,976 dogs — a healthy number, until you realise there are just seven registered dog breeders. One of them holds registrations at three different locations, bringing the actual number of unique breeders down to five. The survey also reveals that of the total number of dogs, 27,864 are strays with 15,370 in North Goa and 12,494 in South Goa.
Meanwhile, the Department of Animal Husbandry confirmed that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017 are technically in force. But enforcement seems to be on an extended vacation — no cases were filed against illegal dog breeders in 2021, 2022, 2024, or 2025.
The lone exception was in 2023, when a single case was reported. The census also offered up the kind of quirky statistics only such surveys can: Goa is home to 1 mule, 10 elephants, 2 camels, 8 sheep and 9,459 stray cattle (of which 5085 are in North Goa).
These details were shared by Animal Husbandry Minister Nilkant Halarnkar in response to a question by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai during a recent Assembly session. While the numbers are official, enforcement appears anything but. A State with nearly 87,000 dogs and barely any action on illegal breeding may need more than just data — perhaps a leash on policy too.
Still, there’s something oddly charming about a place where elephants outnumber sheep, and dog breeders are rarer than camels.