Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Animal Federation (GAF) has claimed that stray dog bite figures in the state have been grossly exaggerated, stating that actual numbers are lower by nearly 1,000 percent compared to those reported.
According to GAF’s analysis, there were only 372 genuine stray dog bite or scratch cases in Goa between 2022 and 2025, not 37,197 as published. The federation pointed out that hospital records do not differentiate between bites from different animals, nor between individuals receiving multiple rabies shots. Since each affected person receives five injections, the federation said hospital registers inflate the numbers, creating a false impression that all cases involve stray dogs.
Breaking down the figures, GAF noted that the 372 stray dog bite cases over three years amounted to one case every three days. With Goa’s stray dog population estimated at 1.45 lakh, the federation calculated that just 0.002 percent of the stray dog population had any history of biting, while 99.998 percent of the dogs posed no threat.
The organisation emphasised that community dogs are generally not aggressive, and that aggression is usually linked to hunger, mating behaviour, or cruelty. Regular feeding, sterilisation, and community education on humane treatment were identified as key measures to prevent bites and manage dog populations effectively.
“The only legal, scientific, and humane solution to address the community dog issue is strict implementation of the Animal Birth Control Rules,” GAF said in its representation. The federation, which unites leading animal welfare NGOs across Goa and has the backing of over 40,000 supporters, reiterated its commitment to ensuring a lawful and sustainable approach that balances public safety with animal welfare.
