Stray Dog Attacks Surge on Goa's Salcete Coast, Threatening Tourists and Locals
The stray dog menace along the Salcete coast in Goa has intensified significantly over the past few weeks, with a growing number of tourists and locals reportedly falling victim to dog attacks. This alarming trend has raised serious public safety concerns in the popular coastal region.
Recent Incidents Highlight Growing Danger
In just the past two days, a tourist was bitten by a stray dog at Colva, while an early morning jogger was also attacked on Sunday. Last week, a British tourist holidaying at Cavelossim was mauled by stray dogs during his morning walk, adding to the growing list of victims.
This is not an isolated problem. In March last year, as many as eight unsuspecting tourists were reportedly attacked by stray dogs at Cavelossim alone, with several other incidents recorded across beaches in the region. Stray dogs are frequently seen roaming near shack tables and popular tourist areas, posing a constant potential risk to both residents and visitors.
Political Response and Proposed Solutions
The issue was raised in the ongoing assembly session by local MLA Venzy Viegas, who highlighted the growing threat to public safety. In response, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the House that a meeting with NGOs would be held to discuss possible solutions to address this pressing problem.
The situation demands immediate attention as the safety of both tourists and locals is at stake. With the tourism season in full swing, authorities are under pressure to implement effective measures to control the stray dog population and prevent further attacks.
