MARGAO
Does the government have any plan up its sleeves to tackle the menace of stray dogs on the Salcete beach belt as it braces up to welcome charter tourists in the state early October?
This question has come to the fore with stray dogs literally invading the beach belt for want of any concerted plan by the government authorities to nip the nuisance in the bud. And, in the absence of the beach shacks during the off season, stray dogs are indeed on the prowl on the beach belt, especially along the world famous Colva beach and at neighbouring Benaulim.
In fact, foreign tourists and domestic visitors have been treading a cautious path while out on a stroll at the world famous Colva beach. A family from Delhi on Saturday recalled their horror as they were attacked by stray dogs during their morning walk. “I was attacked by five stray dogs. I tried to save myself by throwing sand on them. In the bargain, I collapsed in the sand after losing balance. A couple of people were sitting near a shed, but no one came to our rescue. We were saved by God’s grace,” Pradip Sahini told The Goan.
He said the local government and other authorities concerned should get the stray dogs removed from the beach belt and ensure the safety of the visitors.
“We have come from Delhi to enjoy Goa’s beaches and the environment. We were left with no option than to fend for ourselves against the stray dogs,” he added. Another visitor from Gurgaon Manjit Singh echoed similar sentiments. “We are moving on the beach with the fear of getting bitten by a dog. Goa is a tourist destination and the authorities should initiate measures and stop the nuisance,” Manjit said.
A local resident Roque Fernandes from Colva said the stray dogs indeed pose a nuisance to the visitors on the beach. “The stray dogs are on the prowl waiting to attack the visitors. It is indeed a nuisance. The situation is further aggravated during the off season when the beach shacks are shut down and here’s no food for the strays” he said. Roque added that the government should contemplate on some drastic measures to cap the nuisance.
When The Goan contacted Colva Sarpanch Anthony Mam Fernandes to shed light on the issue, he confirmed that the situation is indeed serious on the beach. “The stray dog menace at the Colva beach is indeed a matter of concern. The panchayat will write to the Director of Panchayats and the government to take some measures to curb the nuisance,” Anthony said.
A couple of months ago, a Goan NRI putting up at a starred resort at Benaulim had become a victim of a stray dog, throwing up a host of questions on the safety of the visitors on the beach belt and the absence of any mechanism to tackle the menace.
