Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 12: The Government of Goa has decided to set up three dog shelters—one in each district—and appoint 20 dog catchers as part of measures to tackle rising stray dog bite incidents.

As per the plan, any stray dog involved in a bite case will be kept in a shelter for 15 days to “reduce its aggression” before being released back to its original location.

Official data shows that Goa recorded 19,368 dog bite cases last year, up from 17,323 in 2024. Salcete taluka reported the highest number of cases at 5,252.

A senior government official said the move is based on observations that stray dogs tend to become aggressive after establishing dominance in a particular area. “When a dog bite is reported, the identified stray will be temporarily removed and kept in a shelter. During this time, another dog may occupy its territory, and when the first dog is reintroduced, its aggression is expected to reduce,” the official explained.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the state monitoring committee under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001.

During discussions, some members raised concerns about transporting stray dogs over long distances, as shelters could be located 50–60 km away. However, the committee decided to proceed with the three shelters as a pilot project. The directorate of panchayats and the revenue department are expected to identify suitable land for the facilities.

The committee also resolved that local panchayat members and councillors will help identify individuals familiar with specific areas, who will then be trained as dog catchers.

Officials noted that involving locals is crucial, as unfamiliar personnel may find it difficult to capture stray dogs, which could evade capture by hiding within their known surroundings.