PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday informed members of the Legislative Assembly that a policy decision will be taken to handle the population problem of stray dogs in the State.
Replying to a calling attention notice tabled by Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, the Chief Minister said, “The policy decision will be announced in two or three months. It will be modelled on the lines of the stray cattle policy and will involve consulting all MLAs.”
In his calling attention notice, Amonkar said there was fear and anxiety among the people of Goa and tourists visiting the State due to the menace of stray dogs and the increasing number of attacks in recent times.
“The growing population of stray dogs has become a serious concern, with packs of dogs seen in public places including markets, hospitals, streets, and beaches. The steps the government intends to take on this matter are crucial,” he said.
Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira suggested designating specific areas for feeding stray dogs.
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar attributed the increase in stray dogs on beaches
to leftover food provided by shacks and restaurant operators.
MLAs Venzy Viegas and Delilah Lobo urged Animal Husbandry Minister Nilkant Harlankar to mandate local bodies to sign MoUs with NGOs like Goa Animal Welfare Trust for dog shelters and gaushalas by August 31 this year, and to form Local Animal Birth Control Committees.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai mentioned that a camp was organised by Shivani Mathur of ‘Give Goa Dogs’, where 2,593 dogs were sterilised free of cost over two months. “Despite this effort, the stray dog problem persists. Where are the dogs coming from? Dogs are territorial, they do not relocate themselves,” he said, urging the government to implement a comprehensive sterilisation program Statewide.
However, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho questioned the availability of land for establishing shelter homes and gaushalas.