It is a pleasure to express our gratitude to the animal rescue teams and veterinary services working in the Arpora area under the guidance of the Goa Animal Husbandry Department, especially for their efforts towards dog sterilization. However, the Department should regularly obtain monthly sterilization reports from the NGOs receiving government funding to ensure accountability and effective implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. At present, many stray dogs in areas such as Veigas Wado and nearby localities continue to roam freely without being sterilized. Often, rescue teams visit the area but leave without catching the dogs. Proper dog-trap cages should be used so that more male and female stray dogs can be sterilized before the onset of the monsoon season. Local residents are willing to cooperate with the rescue teams and even contribute donations towards this noble cause. NGOs should share contact numbers with residents to improve coordination during dog-catching drives. I request the Arpora-Nagoa Village Panchayat and the Animal Husbandry Department to closely monitor and regularly continue the sterilization programme to reduce the stray dog menace in Arpora, Siolim, and Calangute areas.
