Panaji, Nov 10 (TOI): In a bid to control the burgeoning canine population in the state, authorities are trying to revive the system ot registering dogs by civic bodies and panchayats — a system that worked successfully in Goa till the 1970s.
At a recent meeting called to discuss the elimination of rabies and control of dog bites chaired by South Goa collector Thomas Tariq, it was a decided to coduct workshops to work out the modalities and mechanisms to register dogs. The department of animal husbandry will coordinate these efforts along with municipalities and panchayats.
“There is already an existing legal framework, and after going through the laws, we will consider suitably amending them,” Tariq said.
Under this system, the owners of dogs would register their pets with the local self governing bodies on payment for a token, which is fixed to the animal’s collar. This would enable authorities to know which dogs are stray and which aren’t.
Increasing concern about the stray dog menace triggered the discussion on measures to contain it.
A total of 3,000 dog bites have been reported in Margao alone from September 2017 to August 2018. In Margao alone, there are around 500 dogs, as recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
“It all goes well, registration could commence by January 1, 2019,” an official said.
Speaking on the initiative, Roland Martins of Goacan, a voluntary organisation, said, “Officials lack the expertise (to do it). By-laws need to be framed with changes and issues such as registration forms, fee structure, issue of licences, etc.”
Taking note of the rising dog population in South Goa and the need for registration, Goacan had petitioned the district magistrate to initiate the process. “Considering that around 60 persons are bitten per day by dogs in Goa, this is a huge burden on the exchequer for anti-rabies vaccines,” Martins said, quoting Assembly figures.
“This would have many advantages as the owner will have to carry out a few tasks for the benefit of the community, which would reduce the number of puppies and ensure vaccination for rabies,” said Murugan Appapillai of Mission Rabies.