MAPUSA
Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Nilkanth Halarnkar, has called for cooperation from panchayats and the public to address the growing problem of stray dog attacks on Goa’s beaches.
Highlighting the need for a concerted approach, the minister proposed a three-pronged strategy to tackle the issue effectively.
Halarnkar emphasised stopping the feeding of stray dogs, identifying hotspots, and involving NGOs as essential steps in resolving the problem.
“We cannot relocate stray dogs. The best we can do is sterilise them to control their population. However, they must be returned to the same location,” he said.
The minister raised concerns over the practice of feeding stray dogs on beaches, particularly by shack operators, who often provide chicken waste.
He warned that this not only contributes to the stray population’s growth but also makes the animals aggressive when food is unavailable, leading to attacks on beach-goers.
“When these dogs don’t find food, they become aggressive and may attack people. Public awareness is crucial, and people, especially shack operators, need to stop feeding the animals,” Halarnkar stated.
He underlined the critical role of three departments “ tourism, animal husbandry, and the directorate of panchayats “ in finding a lasting solution to the issue.
However, he expressed disappointment that a recent joint ministerial meeting yielded no concrete results.
“We held a meeting at the ministerial level, but no definitive solution emerged. Active participation from panchayats and public awareness are key to addressing this issue,” he noted.
