Apropos the news item titled ‘Chicalim hospital gets 80-100 cases of dog bites every month’ (The Goan Everyday December 10, 2021), it appears that the issue is of great concern. It is distressing to note the number of dog bite cases in Goa, with Chicalim Hospital reporting 80-100 cases of stray dog bites every month. The menace of stray dogs attacking people on the streets is evident in other locations like Mumbai as well. Pedestrians are caught unawares while walking on the streets by these animals.
While we need to be considerate in dealing with stray dogs, we need to be also conscious of the dangers posed by them. It is reported that Vasco locals are demanding action against people feeding stray dogs with raw meat, and according to a local leader if they don’t get their regular raw meat, these dogs become aggressive and attack people. However, one will find that even when they get cooked food, the dogs are aggrGGessive and attack passers by as is evident from several cases in cities like Mumbai. There have been scuffles between animal lovers and activists on account of stray dogs attacking people in Mumbai. It’s time, however, that animal lovers and the authorities work together and find ways to ensure that such strays are sterilised and moved away from residential areas. Perhaps, animal lovers can adopt these strays and give them shelter in their homes. We cannot allow strays dogs to restrict the free movement of people.
