Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Margao, Apr 20: The tragic death of a toddler in Ponda after being mauled by a pack of stray dogs has raised serious questions about the Margao Municipal Council's failure to address the escalating stray dog issue. This incident could serve as a much-needed wake-up call for the BJP-controlled council to shed its lethargy and take decisive action.

It’s been a year since the Margao Municipal Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a city-based animal welfare NGO to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, yet the initiative has remained stalled. The MoU was inked without adhering to the required formalities, such as calling for an Expression of Interest (EoI), leaving the programme in limbo.

Despite repeated assurances, not a single payment has been made to the NGO, leaving it with no option but to halt its dog-catching activities and lay off staff.

The situation is further compounded by the Margao Municipal Council’s neglect of its dog-catching vehicle, a modified rickshaw that has been left abandoned at the Sonsodo waste management complex. Instead of being used for its intended purpose, it is now repurposed for transporting tyres.

This indifference has directly contributed to the rise in stray dog populations across the city. Stray dogs roam the streets, posing a growing threat to public safety, yet the council has failed to take meaningful steps to address the issue, leaving citizens and the NGO frustrated. The lack of a dedicated stray dog helpline further complicates matters, with the council seemingly indifferent to its legal responsibilities outlined by the High Court.

The lack of action by the elected representatives of Margao is baffling, considering the issue’s prominence. With the rise in stray dog attacks and public outcry, it’s clear that the time for the Margao Municipal Council to act is long overdue. The tragic death of a child may finally push the civic body to fulfill its obligations and put the ABC programme back on track.