Stray dog menace continues to trouble visitors to the beaches, especially at the South Goa beaches. It is learnt that over the weekend, a Russian woman tourist at Benaulim Beach was chased by a pack of six dogs and bitten by one while strolling on the beach in the evening. It is observed that most of the time, it is foreign tourists who are attacked by dogs roaming in packs. It makes one wonder whether these stray dogs have a preference for white skin when it comes to attacking.
While some local authorities have taken steps to address the problem, tourism stakeholders stress that more comprehensive government intervention is needed. They warn that unless proactive measures are taken, the stray dog menace could pose a growing threat to Goa’s tourism.
Dogs, being social animals, naturally form packs, and this pack mentality can sometimes lead to aggressive behaviour, especially when they perceive a threat or are defending their territory, making them a much greater danger compared to a single stray dog. Goa has seen a significant increase in its stray dog population, leading to more frequent encounters between dogs and beachgoers. Visitors to the beaches should refrain from feeding stray dogs, as this can contribute to their aggressive behaviour.
