MARGAO
In an effort to work out a solution to the stray dog menace on Salcete beach belt, stakeholders have suggested setting up of a dog shelter to take care of sick and ferocious dogs, besides launching an awareness and education program to change attitude of humans towards the strays.
How the proposal to set up the dog shelter will be taken to its logical conclusion remains a million dollar question in the absence of land to house the strays. District Collector Asvin Chandru has said his office will move a proposal to the government to identify the land to house the dog shelter.
Representatives of Mission Rabies, however, suggested that the proposal can take off immediately if the panchayats volunteer to provide the necessary land.
Another suggestion that was made to address the land issue is the government directing the Tourism Department to provide a parcel of land along the beach belt to take care of the strays.
The high-level meeting chaired by the district Collector, Asvin Chandru was attended by Additional Collector, Srinet Kothwale, Director of Mission Rabbies Dr Murugan, officials of government departments, including Animal Husbandry, besides Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz and others.
The meeting called by the Collector after receiving a representation from Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz, discussed ways and means to curb the dog menace. During discussions, Dixon pointed out that tourists are now afraid to venture out on the beach out of fear of the stray dogs, saying the situation may cripple the State’s tourism industry.
He suggested to the authorities to take care of the stray dogs on the beach belt on the lines of the gaushalas set up by the government.
Animal welfare lovers said the authorities can try a solution by confining the ferocious dogs in a shelter and get them adjusted to human beings, exuding confidence that it would bring about a change in the animal behaviour.
Director Mission Rabies, Dr Murugan said the proposal to set up a dog shelter is a good idea, but said the shelter should be set up in the village panchayat area and managed by the panchayat. “The dog shelter will become practical if it is managed by the panchayat body,” he said.
Murugan, however, laid stress on education and awareness, saying these two things will do wonders, changing the very attitude of the people towards dogs. “We have to live with the dogs forever. Education is a key thing in this exercise. Mission Rabies is ready for the job,” he said, while promising that Mission Rabies will put up around 20 hoardings in South Goa to spread the education program.
“To avoid the dog bites, we should have a shelter and a change in the attitude of humans towards dogs. We will take up sterilisation of the dogs. Vaccination is going on. The panchayats can avail these facilities,” he said.
