According to newspaper reports, 5 foreign tourists have been bitten by stray dogs on Mobor beach over the past 26 days. In 2025 Goa has witnessed 19,368 cases of dogbites, a worrisome 63 % rise from 11,899 reported in 2023. Feral dog attacks are becoming another reason why tourists are eschewing Goa for other destinations abroad. Despite seeking directions from the Department of Tourism and the Department of Animal Husbandry by the sarpanchas of the coastal villages where these incidents happen most, no clear instructions have been forthcoming. Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism passes on the buck to the DoAH and the village administration. The SPCA mavens talk about 'studying' dog behaviour. The animal lovers start howling the moment the government wants to take strong action. Sterilization, vaccination, relocation, microchip installation etc. are some of the measures that have been tried but to no avail, strays have become a pan India problem. Turkey, China, Japan, Morocco, Vietnam, Romania, Azerbaijan, why even Switzerland resorts to culling of dogs to keep the canine population in check. India can certainly learn from these countries. The stray menace needs to be dealt with an iron hand.
