The reported suspension of the stray dog sterilization programme by the Panjim Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) due to non-payment of government dues is a matter of grave concern. According to PAWS, it has not received reimbursement for sterilization surgeries carried out since April 2025, forcing it to halt a programme that has played a crucial role in controlling the stray dog population in Panaji and surrounding areas. PAWS performs more than 3,000 sterilization surgeries every year under the government's grant-in-aid scheme. The partial reimbursement has now been withheld on the grounds that the state government lacks sufficient funds. Such an explanation is difficult to justify when public health and safety are at stake. The risk of rabies, dog bites and attacks, particularly involving children and senior citizens, cannot be ignored. In addition, stray dogs wandering onto roads have been responsible for numerous traffic accidents, endangering motorists and pedestrians alike. It is fundamentally a matter of public health, urban management and responsible governance. The Goa government needs to immediately clear the pending dues owed to PAWS and ensure that future reimbursements are released without delay.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
