Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Oct 16: Goa authorities have recommended a coordinated plan to manage stray and community dogs along the state’s beach belts, including surveys, sterilisation, vaccination, adoption and the development of permanent shelters.
The recommendations emerged from a meeting held at Porvorim under the chairmanship of the animal husbandry secretary, following discussions with the chief minister. The meeting also reviewed directions issued by the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court amid concerns over the tourism department’s initiative to facilitate the adoption and relocation of stray dogs from beaches.
Animal welfare organisations and NGOs raised objections to the tourism department’s notice proposing relocation, pointing out that designated shelters were not available in the state. Murugan Appupillai, director of education at Mission Rabies, warned that partial sterilisation would have little impact and called for a coordinated approach involving government departments, animal welfare organisations and local bodies.
The meeting recommended a detailed survey of stray and community dogs along beach stretches, with support from lifeguard agency Drishti and local bodies. The dogs will be categorised according to their sterilisation status, while shack owners’ associations will be involved in sterilising and vaccinating dogs that have not undergone the procedures.
Village panchayats, shack owners and the hospitality sector will also be encouraged to establish structured feeding arrangements, particularly during the tourist off-season.
Participants agreed to explore the formation of clusters of village panchayats to identify common land for permanent shelters in accordance with established guidelines. Young dogs from beach areas will be prioritised for adoption after sterilisation and vaccination before any relocation is undertaken.
The meeting also stressed the need to enforce pet registration rules. Authorities agreed to draft bylaws under the Goa Municipalities Act and the Goa Panchayat Raj Act to make dog registration mandatory, with incentives such as free registration being considered.
Earlier, the District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), North Goa, had written to the government alleging that the tourism department’s beach initiative violated statutory provisions and Supreme Court directions. The organisation demanded the immediate withdrawal of the seven-day notice issued for the programme.