MONDAY, JULY 01, 2024
Team Herald
PONDA: Residents of Ponda have voiced their concerns over the increasing problem of stray dogs, emphasising that it is more serious than the issue of stray cattle. Locals reported that stray dogs pose a greater risk to people by chasing, biting, and even causing accidents.
Naresh Naik pointed out that while the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) has set up a goshala for cattle, the stray dog problem also needs to be addressed. He noted that stray dogs pose more of a threat than cattle, as cattle do not often attack people, whereas dog bites are common. Additionally, bike riders sometimes have accidents while trying to avoid packs of dogs. In the past, there have been attacks by stray dogs on children, with some incidents leading to fatalities when dogs suddenly appeared on the road.
It has been reported that Ponda Sub District Hospital sees nearly 100 cases of stray dog bites per month, an alarming statistic. The growing population of stray dogs has made it increasingly dangerous to ride a bike or walk alone at night. Accidents occur as packs of dogs chase bike riders and pedestrians, particularly targeting senior citizens and children. Locals are demanding that the population of stray dogs be controlled and that anti-rabies vaccines be made readily available.
PMC Chairperson Ritesh Naik stated that efforts are underway to secure land for a stray dog shelter at Curti, where care will be provided for the stray dogs.
