Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 27: The High Court has expressed serious concern over the rising stray dog population in Goa and the slow implementation of animal birth control measures, directing the State and Union Animal Husbandry departments to place official stray dog census figures on record.

The court also issued strict compliance directions to local governing bodies across the state and sought detailed information on the infrastructure available for implementing animal birth control measures.

The directions came after official gazette notifications showed that the stray dog-to-human population ratio in Goa had increased sharply from 3 per cent in 2014 to 9 per cent in November 2022.

Based on a human population of around 16 lakh, the street dog population is estimated at nearly 1.5 lakh. This figure, however, differs significantly from central estimates that put the number of stray dogs at around 56,000.

The High Court has impleaded the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry as a new respondent, alongside the Secretary of the State Animal Husbandry Department.

Both authorities have been directed to submit comprehensive stray dog census data before the next hearing.

Under the 2022 policy formulated in accordance with Supreme Court directions, authorities are required to achieve 70 per cent sterilisation of stray dogs within five years.

The High Court also reprimanded all 13 municipal councils for failing to submit compliance reports. The Chief Officers of the municipal councils have been directed to file affidavits detailing the existing infrastructure and steps taken to implement the animal birth control programme.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 1, when the civic bodies and the Animal Husbandry authorities are expected to place their compliance reports and census data before the court.