MARGAO
Has the Tourism Department any plan in place to handle the stray dog menace on Salcete’s beach belt?
This question has come to the fore following an incident that a young boy was attacked by strays on the Benaulim beach three days ago.
In this context, Benaulim-based traditional fisherman Pele Fernandes has made a fervent plea to the Goa government to intervene to resolve the burning stray dog menace along the beach stretch.
“Some time back, a three-year old girl was attacked by stray dogs on the prowl on the Benaulim beach. In a latest incident, a nine-year boy, who was coming out of the sea and running after his parents was attacked by some stray dogs loitering on the Benaulim beach. Fortunately, the fishermen rushed to the spot and rescued the young boy,” he said.
Pele, however, said the government should put a mechanism in place to tackle the stray dogs on the beach belt. “We understand there are animal lovers who take care of the stray dogs, but these instances have only created a panic situation when the strays have attacked the children,” he said.
He added: “May be the strays have attacked the children since there was a delay in the setting up of the beach shacks as the shacks used to take care of their feed. But, the government must intervene in the matter before any major incident spoils the name of tourism.”
