PANAJI
Drishti Marine lifeguards are facing an unexpected menace: a surge in stray dog attacks. This alarming increase has virtually turned the beaches into battlegrounds as these vigilant lifeguards are now not only tasked with rescuing visitors from drowning, reuniting lost children with their parents and finding lost articles but also protecting beach visitors from canine attacks. However, in the process, some lifeguards have also been bitten by the dogs.
Surge in dog bites
from Jan 2024
From January 2024 till date, Drishti has recorded 11 dog bite cases, a spurt compared to just one incident in 2023 and two in 2022.
The beaches of Benaulim, Betalbatim, Calangute, Mandrem and Colva have become hotspots for these distressing encounters. Benaulim Beach, among favourite beaches for visitors in South Goa, has witnessed the highest number of dog bites with seven cases reported.
It began in April 2024, when a 35-year-old Russian woman was viciously attacked by a pack of five stray dogs at Benaulim Beach. Lifesavers intervened promptly, provided rescue and medical aid and rushed her to the nearest hospital.
Soon thereafter a Canadian tourist was chased by four stray dogs and bitten on her right thigh, on the same beach. Lifesavers administered first aid and ensured the victim was taken to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
From tourists to
B-town actor
The very next month Bollywood actor Rayya Labib sustained bruises and scratches after being chased by stray dogs at Colva beach. Although not bitten, she took the ordeal to social media followed by several reply posts revealing the growing threat posed by stray dogs on the beaches.
The saga doesn’t end there, at Benaulim beach, a 24-year-old Russian woman was bitten while cycling and in a separate incident, a 24-year-old woman from Loutolim was bitten six to seven times by stray dogs at the same beach. Lifesavers on duty rescued them as well, shifting them to a hospital.
The problem continued this month when an American woman was bitten by stray dogs at Benaulim beach while relaxing. She received immediate medical care from Drishti Marine personnel. The same beach saw two domestic tourists, women in their thirties from Ghaziabad and Mumbai, bitten by two stray dogs. They were provided first aid and taken to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
In all these cases, not a single dog bite victim had triggered any situation that could make a dog feel threatened or angry.
The rise in dog bite cases is not a new phenomenon, but the frequency has increased alarmingly in 2024. Further details shared by Drishti reveal that in February 2023, a three-year-old Russian child, playing at an unnamed beach with its parents, was bitten by a stray dog. August 2022 saw a tourist from Delhi bitten by a stray dog at Anjuna beach, while in July 2022, a 45-year-old doctor from Rajasthan was attacked by three stray dogs at Sinquerim beach.
Lifeguards among victims
of dog attacks
The menace has not spared Drishti Marine's lifesavers themselves. In May 2024, three on-duty lifesavers were bitten by stray dogs while patrolling the beaches. On May 22, lifesaver Roshan Patil was bitten at Betalbatim beach while patrolling and was taken to Cansaulim Health Centre for treatment and vaccination.
The previous day, on May 21, lifesaver Sarvesh Tandial was bitten at Calangute beach. He received immediate first aid, vaccination and medical treatment for his wounds. On May 22 - the same day Patil was bitten - Sashikant Jadhav, another lifesaver and operations manager for North and South Goa, was bitten thrice while patrolling Mandrem beach on an e-cycle. He was taken to the District Hospital in Mapusa for necessary vaccinations and treatment.
In most cases, Drishti Marine personnel were quick to respond, providing immediate first aid and arranging for further medical assistance. But they too becoming a target of dogs has further created concern.
Call for urgent action
by local bodies
Asked whether Drishti has taken up the issue with the departments concerned, CEO Navin Awasthi revealed they urged local authorities to address the stray dog issue urgently. “We continue to patrol the beaches vigilantly and ready to assist in emergencies... Effective measures are needed to control the stray dog population for the safety and well-being of visitors on the beaches,” he said.
Victim lifeguard
speaks
Sashikant Jadhav, among the three lifeguards bitten by stray dogs, has explained the challenges they face with stray dogs. “The mandatory closure of beach shacks along Goa's beaches means stray dogs can no longer seek shelter or food. Now, these dogs prowl in packs and are found near paths that lead to beach areas,” he said.
In light of recent dog bite incidents, Drishti Marine lifesavers have been tasked with keeping a vigilant watch over these areas frequented by stray dogs, in addition to their lifesaving duties. "We know certain beach dogs by name and shoo them away if they attack. In the case of multiple dogs, we shoo them away together,” he said.
Jadhav also advised beachgoers who might confront stray dogs to be aware of their surroundings while on the beach, as some tourists tend to run towards the water, prompting nearby dogs to chase after them. The main point is not to feed them with raw meat or throw stones at them.
“Avoid running on the beach in the presence of stray dogs. Steer clear of stray dog packs and avoid eye contact with them, as it can trigger aggression. Do not run if a dog approaches you, as this can provoke the animal to chase you faster,” he added.
Drishti has further instructed beachgoers to contact the nearest lifeguard or lifesaver tower for assistance in case of a dog bite. "On-duty lifesavers wash the wound for 10 minutes to clean it and call for medical backup so that the victim can be taken to the nearest health centre," it said.
