Stray Dog Menace Intensifies on South Goa's Coastal Belt
Panaji: The persistent threat of stray dogs along South Goa's picturesque coastal belt has claimed another victim, with a seven-year-old boy attacked by a dog at Colva beach. This incident underscores a growing public safety concern that has plagued the region's popular tourist destinations.
Immediate Response and First Aid Administered
Drishti Marine lifesavers swiftly responded to the young boy's distress call after the stray dog attack. The child sustained a bite wound to his leg, prompting lifesavers stationed nearby to provide immediate first aid. They advised the boy's family to consult a medical professional without delay, according to an official statement from Drishti Marine.
Pattern of Attacks on Beaches
This is not an isolated incident. In February, beach marshal Pratik Velip was bitten by a stray dog while patrolling Colva beach, requiring transfer to a medical facility for treatment. The Majorda-Benaulim coastal belt has witnessed numerous instances over the past year where both tourists and lifeguards have been attacked by dogs.
Tourists have reported encountering packs of dogs at Sernabatim and Benaulim beaches, as well as surrounding areas. Alarmingly, three on-duty Drishti Marine lifesavers were bitten by stray dogs within a two-week period in May 2024 alone.
Proactive Measures and Recommendations
In response to the escalating number of dog bite incidents on Goa's beaches, Drishti Marine has implemented specialized training for lifesavers to identify aggression in stray dogs. Some foreign tourists who fell victim to dog bites have suggested using pepper spray as an effective deterrent against such attacks on beaches.
Lifeguards Simultaneously Execute Multiple Rescues
Despite the challenges posed by stray animals, Drishti Marine lifesavers continued their vital work, rescuing several tourists over a recent weekend.
Arambol Sweet Water Lake Incidents
At Arambol sweet water lake, lifesavers saved two lives in separate incidents. Lifesaver Vishnu Kunal rescued a 46-year-old man who had swum too deep into the lake and began drowning. In another case, lifesaver Harshad Chandekar rescued a 36-year-old tourist from Maharashtra who ventured into the water despite being a weak swimmer, safely bringing him back to shore.
Additional Rescue Operations
At Ashwem beach, a Russian teenager was rescued after getting caught in a low-tide rip current while enjoying the waters. Lifesaver Hiren Keluskar spotted her in distress and rushed to her aid in a rescue boat, securing her safety.
Drishti lifeguards also assisted an 87-year-old woman who suffered a fall at Calangute beach. Suspecting a spinal injury, the lifesavers called for a 108 ambulance, carefully transported her on a spinal board, and handed her over to medical personnel for further treatment.
At Palolem, two local youths kayaking approximately 400 meters from shore lost their balance and capsized. Lifesavers observed their distress and successfully brought both individuals safely ashore.
The combination of increasing stray dog attacks and multiple successful rescues highlights the complex safety dynamics facing Goa's coastal tourism industry, with lifeguards playing a crucial dual role in both prevention and emergency response.
