MARGAO: Concerns over the stray dog menace on Salcete beaches have escalated after two recent incidents where unsuspecting individuals were attacked by aggressive packs of strays. The alarming incidents have left residents and tourists feeling vulnerable and demanding immediate action from authorities.
The first incident occurred when a 24-year-old woman from Loutolim was viciously attacked by a pack of stray dogs while out for her routine morning jog on Benaulim beach. The woman, a regular runner, found herself surrounded by the aggressive strays, enduring multiple bites before a quick-thinking tourist couple intervened and brought her to safety. She was treated at the Loutolim Primary Health Centre.
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Her father expressed gratitude to the tourists who came to her rescue, emphasising the urgent need for authorities along with animal welfare organisations to address the safety concerns along the beach, particularly regarding stray dogs.
Another recent incident occurred in Colva, where a senior citizen was chased by a pack of dogs while heading back after his morning run. Although he managed to keep them at bay and was not bitten, the incident left him shaken.
Locals have urged authorities to collaborate with animal welfare organizations and find a lasting solution to this issue.
It may be recalled that the Colva village gram sabha had recently raised this matter, following which the panchayat had requested assistance from the government, the Tourism Department in particular, to provide resources and infrastructure to address the stray dog problem effectively.
At the same time, there have been calls for steps to be taken to address the plight of stray animals in a humane and sustainable manner, especially since human negligence and garbage mismanagement has led to the high stray dog population.
