The Goa government has initiated steps to implement the Supreme Court's directions on stray dog management, with authorities set to identify stray dog hotspots across the state and appoint nodal officers to oversee compliance.
Meeting on Compliance
The measures were discussed at a meeting chaired by the chief secretary on Tuesday and attended by senior officials from various departments. The meeting reviewed the state's response to the court's directives and preparations for a compliance affidavit to be filed before the Supreme Court.
Affidavit Submission Timeline
Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Nitin Naik said the state has been asked to compile details of existing measures and future plans for stray dog management. The affidavit is expected to be submitted by the end of July or the first week of August.
Immediate Action Plan
As part of the immediate action plan, authorities will identify areas with high stray dog populations and locations reporting frequent dog-bite incidents. Nodal officers will be appointed to coordinate implementation and monitoring efforts.
Expanded List of Sensitive Locations
Naik said the state has expanded the list of sensitive public locations requiring focused attention. In addition to schools, hospitals and bus stands, the proposed framework now includes markets, beaches and religious places. The inclusion follows the Supreme Court's provision allowing states to identify other public spaces requiring special attention.
Standard Operating Procedures
The government has already formulated and circulated standard operating procedures (SOPs) on dog-bite incidents and interactions with stray dogs. The guidelines have been shared with departments such as education, higher education and technical education to ensure a coordinated response.
The SOPs outline preventive measures, safety protocols and procedures to be followed in the event of dog-bite cases, particularly in educational institutions and other public spaces.
Long-Term Measures
Naik said discussions on long-term measures will continue in upcoming meetings as the state prepares its comprehensive response to the Supreme Court's directives.
