The menace of stray dogs in Ponda taluka has reached alarming levels, with locals demanding immediate and effective measures to curb attacks on children, senior citizens, and commuters. Data from Ponda Sub-District Hospital reveals a worrying trend. In 2024, 1,138 dog bite cases were recorded, while in just eight months of 2025 (January– August), 846 incidents have already been reported—an average of more than 100 per month. These figures exclude unreported cases treated at private hospitals. The surge includes tragic incidents such as the death of a 1.5-yearold toddler at Durgabhat due to a stray dog attack, and seven children bitten at Antruznagar Society, prompting protests against dog feeding. A child at a local Balwadi Stray dog attacks surge in Ponda Deaths and injuries prompt call for shelters and sterilisation drives; Parents fear sending children to school as attacks rise was also recently attacked. Youths face risks as dogs chase vehicles at night, raising accident hazards. Despite MoUs signed by Ponda Municipal Council and Curti Khandepar Panchayat with NGOs for dog sterilisation, residents demand stronger interventions. Former Bandora Sarpanch Rajesh Naik called for government and comunidade support to allocate at least 5,000 sq m of land for shelters and sterilisation drives. Social worker Viraj Sapre urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to establish a dedicated shelter for dogs “at war footing,” citing risks to children and the elderly. Kisan Naik stressed the unsafe environment deters parents from sending children to school or tuition. The escalating incidents underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive stray dog management plan, combining sterilisation, shelters, and public awareness to protect resident
