STRAY DOGS IN GOA FRIENDLY TOWARDS HUMANS: GOA ANIMAL FEDERATION
Panaji: September 18, 2025
Goa Animal Federation (“GAF”) in a representation submitted to various authorities have informed that they have undertaken a detailed analysis of dog bite data in Goa and found that stray dog bite numbers are exaggerated by a factor of one thousand percent. There were 372 actual stray dog bite/ scratch cases in Goa in a three-year period starting 2022 and not 37,197 as published as per Goa Animal Federation.
They have further said that since registered animal bite cases in hospitals are not differentiated by animals, nor by individuals taking shots, and, therefore, a perception is created that all animal bite cases are from stray dogs whereas the reality is that the data comprises all kinds of animals. Furthermore, it is important to note that five rabies shots are given to each affected person. Therefore, animal bite cases, which are all wrongly ascribed to stray dogs, are exaggerated by a factor of 5 because of the continuous registration in a register at the hospital.
The actual number for stray dog bite cases dropped to 372 over a three-year period (1095 days) or approximately one stray dog bite case every three days. It is important to note that Goa’s stray dog population is 1.45 lakhs which means only 0.002% of stray dogs bit/scratched someone in Goa while 99.998% of stray dogs were friendly towards the public and had no bite history.
Goa Animal Federation further States that community dogs are not aggressive, and any bite cases can also be prevented by understanding the causes of dog bites such as 1) Food aggression: Hungry dogs are aggressive. Feeding community dogs regularly not only eliminates food aggression but also keep dogs healthy to be sterilized in order to control their population. 2) Mating aggression: Unsterilized dogs get aggressive during mating season. Therefore, it is important to sterilize dogs to reduce aggression and to control their population 3) Aggression from cruelty: In order to protect themselves, Community dogs get aggressive only if they are beaten, assaulted and/or relocated. People must be taught awareness and humane treatment, through community education.
The only legal, scientific, and humane solution to resolve community dogs problem is to follow Animal Birth Control Rules in earnest. The Goa Animal Federation comprising leading animal welfare NGOs across the State and with over 40,000 supporters, stands united in ensuring that Goa follows a lawful, scientific, and humane path that safeguards public safety while reducing dog overpopulation in a sustainable way.
DI/NB/AXP/UB/SG/2025/719