The recent news article highlighting the government's concern about citizen safety from dog bites is welcome, but it seems to be addressing only a part of the issue. The proposed bill to ban certain breeds of dogs kept as pets is a step, but what about the growing menace of stray dog attacks? As per data shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Lok Sabha, dog bite cases in Goa have risen alarmingly from 8,057 in 2022 to 17,220 in 2024, with 1,789 cases reported in January this year alone. Notably, most incidents occurred in public spaces, unlike isolated cases in homes with guard dogs. It's intriguing that the government focuses on banning certain breeds while overlooking the larger issue of stray dog attacks and citizen safety. With rising crimes like robbery and dacoity, and questionable performance of law enforcement and judiciary, citizens are left vulnerable. While it's good to see the government's concern for citizens, it's puzzling that they fail to provide adequate safety against rising crimes. When citizens seek to protect themselves and their homes with guard dogs, the government objects.
