Panaji: Goa has recorded 12,021 dog-bite cases till mid-Aug this year, including 16 cases reported on beaches. Of the 16 dog-bite cases reported on beaches by the tourism department, 10 occurred on Benaulim beach, animal husbandry minister Nilkanth Halarnkar told the legislative assembly on Wednesday in response to a question by MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco.Halarnkar’s reply also mentioned that the latest stray-dog census is still unavailable. The 21st Livestock Census was conducted between Nov 2024 and April 2025, but its data has not yet been published by Union govt. Interim figure of stray-dog population is the 2019 figure of 27,864.The Margao municipal council has been unable to obtain a planned stray-dog survey from the South Goa Welfare Trust for Animals. The municipality is now exploring another agency to establish an accurate population count. Margao has also identified a site for a shelter and sought govt funding of Rs 80.38 lakh to house and manage stray dogs and support sterilisation activities.Other civic bodies have highlighted a range of infrastructural gaps in addressing concerns related to stray dog management, vaccination and sterilisation.Mormugao municipal council has an MoU with People for Animals for sterilisation and immunisation and has a shelter at Shantinagar, Vasco. However, the NGO has reported difficulties caused by a shortage of shelter space, cages, vehicles and other equipment.Ponda civic body said land constraints have held up the setting up of a dedicated dog shelter, while Cuncolim has also prepared an estimate for a dog shelter. Quepem is awaiting a sanctioned order and grant-in-aid from the animal husbandry department. Curchorem-Cacora has cited continuous breeding and the need for regular sterilisation and vaccination. It plans another month-long sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination camp.Pernem also cited continuous breeding, manpower and infrastructure shortages, and difficulties in catching dogs. It has proposed a shelter for 100 dogs and instructed schools to fence their premises. Valpoi has no independent dog survey. The council is seeking funds for a temporary animal shelter.
