Goa’s Department of Tourism considered managing stray dogs on the beaches by vaccinating and sterilising them and relocating them to designated, authorised animal shelters, all as per the Supreme Court’s national directive. A window of seven days was announced for the public and animal welfare groups to adopt the dogs by submitting their details and an undertaking ensuring proper care. Strays not adopted would be managed as per the applicable laws (TGE, Oct 12). The proposal has run into rough weather due to opposition from the District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), North Goa. The Society wrote to the Department, stating that it was illegal and amounted to contempt of court to justify the removal of stray animals from public beaches and high-footfall areas.
What is wrong with dogs and cattle on the beaches being adopted by well-intentioned citizens? The animals would be secure and cared for in foster homes instead of roaming under the hot sun, thirsty, starving and dirtying the beaches and attacking people. The Society could rethink its disagreement by considering the strays’ well-being, people’s safety and the loss of revenue to the government if people avoid going to the beaches because of the nuisance caused by stray animals.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
