60 beach dogs vaxxed, sterilised in four days

Colva: More than 60 dogs roaming the Salcete coastline have been sterilised and vaccinated in four days since the beginning of a drive on April 1.
Dr Stacy Sequeira, the director of Worldwide Veterinary Services, told TOI that after covering the beach stretch of Cavelossim and Carmona, their dog-catching team was combing the Varca beach. Once the team finishes dealing with the patch till Majorda, it will restart the drive from Cavelossim.
Worldwide Veterinary Services (an animal welfare group), Mission Rabies, and the animal husbandry department had launched a 19-day sterilisation programme to reduce the stray dog population along the coastline and safeguard the region’s reputation as a tourist-friendly destination.
Sequeira said she is hopeful of crossing the 100-mark by April 5. She said the programme is being publicised widely to encourage people to get their pets for sterilisation.
“We board or house stray dogs from beaches for three or four days till the incision from the procedure heals,” she said. “After we perform the procedure on pets, we immediately send them home with medication.” Pet parents get caregiving instructions.
In recent months, dog attacks along the coast have spiked, prompting panchayat bodies, shack owners, and the hotel industry to urge govt to act.