Goa’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences (AH&VS) together with Mission Rabies have started a special sterilisation drive from April 1 to tackle the problem of stray dogs roaming on the beaches. Around 2,000 dogs are expected to be neutered as the cases of dog bites have increased and marred the image of the tourism industry. During the drive the stray dogs caught in South Goa would be sterilised in a temporary camp located in the premises of the fisheries department at Colva while in North Goa the Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) Centre at Assagao would be the venue. Instead of employing people to chase and catch the dogs and transport them to-and-fro, it could be prudent to equip the AH&VS staff with dart guns. The tip of the guns could carry the sterilising medicine/dose which will be delivered when the dogs are ‘shot.’ The dart guns could be fired from a safe distance even if the dogs are lying down, strolling or scampering off. Expenses would be saved by avoiding dog catchers. A dog van could be deployed if the staff need to capture some rabid dogs.
