MAPUSA
With stray dogs increasingly becoming a concern in the popular tourist belt, the Calangute panchayat has decided to conduct a ward-wise survey of stray dogs, pet dogs and stray cattle in the village, following directions from the Bombay High Court at Goa and the State government.
The exercise, scheduled from October 16 to 31, assumes significance for Calangute, where complaints about stray dogs in and around beach areas have raised concerns over the safety of tourists and residents.
The survey will record the number of stray dogs in each ward, their gender and sterilisation status, while also identifying locations and clusters where they are found. Details of stray cattle and areas where they frequently gather will also be collected.
The exercise follows a memorandum issued by the Directorate of Panchayats on September 11 and subsequent directions from the Bardez Block Development Officer. The panchayat has cited Suo Motu Writ Petition No. 2 of 2026 before the High Court as the basis for the survey.
Under the plan, ward members, nominated volunteers and local representatives will conduct the survey. Animal feeders and animal welfare volunteers have been asked to provide information about stray animals in their respective wards to the concerned ward member by October 9.
Photographs and geo-tagging of identified stray animals will also be carried out wherever applicable.
The panchayat said the exercise aims to generate accurate data to help plan measures related to animal birth control, sterilisation, vaccination, responsible feeding and stray-animal management.
For Calangute, the survey could provide a comprehensive picture of the stray-dog population in a village that sees a large influx of tourists, particularly around its beaches and commercial areas.
Complaints about stray dogs in the beach belt have periodically raised concerns about incidents involving tourists and the risk of dog bites. The presence of unsterilised animals also remains a challenge for local authorities.
