PANAJI
The Supreme Court has observed that tourism in Goa and Kerala is being affected by the presence of stray dogs on beaches, while sharply criticising some States and Union Territories, including Goa, for filing “vague” affidavits on compliance with its directions to remove stray dogs from public places.
The Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria, during the ongoing hearing into a suo motu petition, said the issue had serious public safety and economic implications.
Justice Mehta remarked that stray dogs are drawn to beaches because of fish carcasses. “That affects tourism also,” Justice Mehta said.
Incidentally, the State government -- during the winter session of the Assembly this month -- admitted that the surge in dog-bite cases has harmed Goa’s image as a tourist destination. Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Nilkanth Halarnkar told the Assembly that the stray dog management policy was revised in 2023 to address the growing problem.
“Taking into consideration several dog-bite cases that have occurred in the State to locals and visitors, bringing a bad reputation to the tourism sector, the policy was revised in 2023 to make it more effective and the same is currently in force,” the minister was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, senior advocate Gaurav Aggarwal, assisting the apex court as amicus curiae, told the Bench that dogs picked up from beaches cannot be released back in the same areas. He also took the court through data submitted by States and Union Territories, including Goa, on steps taken to address the stray dog problem.
The court noted that several affidavits filed in response to its earlier orders lacked clarity and failed to demonstrate effective compliance.
Earlier, on January 13, the SC indicated that it may direct States to pay heavy compensation in dog-bite cases, observing that norms relating to stray animals had not been implemented for nearly five years. It also signalled that liability could be fixed on State authorities and dog feeders for injuries and deaths caused by stray dog attacks.
The court’s remarks come amid mounting concern over a sharp rise in dog-bite incidents in Goa as well. Official figures revealed that cases increased steadily over the past three years, crossing 19,000 incidents in 2025. A total of 11,899 dog-bite cases were reported in 2023, which rose to 17,232 in 2024 and further to 19,368 in 2025, the highest in the last three years.
The rise has been reported across Goa, with the highest number of cases in 2025 recorded in Salcete (5,252), followed by Bardez (3,709), Ponda (2,112) and Quepem (2,099). Tiswadi reported 1,213 cases, while other talukas also saw year-on-year increases.
Earlier this month, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte stressed the need for coordinated action from related departments on issues such as taxis, garbage, stray cattle and dogs, potholes, infrastructure and touts.
