Panaji, May 2024: Three on-duty Drishti Marine lifesavers were bitten by stray dogs while patrolling Goa’s beaches in the span of two weeks in May 2024. They received the necessary first aid and medical attention.
On Wednesday (May 22), lifesaver Roshan Patil was bitten by a stray dog on Betalbatim beach while patrolling, and taken to the health centre in Cansaulim for treatment and vaccination.
On Tuesday (May 21), lifesaver Sarvesh Tandial was bitten by a stray dog at Calangute beach, and received the necessary first aid, vaccination and medical treatment for his wounds.
Last weekend, Sashikant Jadhav, Drishti Marine lifesaver and operations manager for the North and South Goa sectors, was bitten thrice by a stray dog while patrolling on an e-cycle at Mandrem beach. He was taken to Asilo District Hospital in Mapusa for necessary vaccination.
Lifesavers also intervened and helped two foreign nationals who were bitten by stray dogs in two separate incidents on Benaulim beach in April 2024. A 35-year-old woman from Russia was bitten by five dogs, saved by Drishti Marine personnel and taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.
A woman from Canada was also chased by a pack of four dogs and bitten on the right thigh. She was administered first aid at the lifeguard tower by lifesaver Cleyton Vaz, who dispersed the dogs. The dog-bite victim was then taken to a nearby hospital for further medical attention.
There have also been other reports of encounters between stray dogs and beachgoers along the coastline recently, particularly in May, with Benaulim and Colva beaches emerging as hotspots for such incidents.
Bollywood actor Rayya Labib sustained bruises and scratches after she was chased by stray dogs last week at Colva beach while holidaying in Goa.
Last week also witnessed a 24-year-old Russian woman being bitten by a pack of stray dogs while cycling on Benaulim beach, and was rescued by nearby fishermen. She was treated for minor injuries sustained during her encounter with stray dogs.
In mid-May, a 24-year-old woman from Loutolim was bitten six to seven times by stray dogs on Benaulim beach, and later taken to the Primary Health Centre in Loutolim, even as a senior citizen at Colva beach was also chased by a pack of stray dogs during his morning run but managed to remain unharmed.
Loved reading this report compiled by your Team. However, no solution has been put forth by your Team.
The reason for the aggression is due to hunger/thirst. Are the poor animals being fed? If not, expect more such cases.
Moreover, your Team has failed to report the abuses by humans both on the animals and their carers.
Another point missed by your Team is the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities in conducting Animal Birth Control operations.