Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has sought the help of residents, animal feeders and volunteers to determine the number and status of stray dogs, pet dogs and stray cattle across the municipal area.
The exercise comes in the wake of an order issued by the High Court of Bombay at Goa on September 10, 2026, in Suo Motu Writ Petition No. 2 of 2026.
MMC Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar has appealed to residents to share details of animals in their respective neighbourhoods to assist teams involved in the survey.
Residents and volunteers from Wards 1 to 25 have been asked to provide information on stray and pet dogs as well as stray cattle found within their localities, including animals seen along roads and highways falling under the municipal limits.
The proposed database is expected to give the civic authorities a clearer picture of Margao’s animal population, particularly the number of street dogs that have not undergone sterilisation or vaccination.
The census also comes against the backdrop of concerns over the implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme in Margao. Despite the MMC having an arrangement with a local NGO for sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs, the programme has reportedly struggled to function effectively over the past several years.
Sources have pointed to logistical and financial constraints, including an alleged shortage of funds, trained dog catchers and a dedicated vehicle for transporting animals to and from the sterilisation centre.
There have also been concerns regarding the utilisation of the vehicle associated with the programme, with sources claiming that it has at times been deployed for other municipal requirements.
Animal welfare activists have consequently welcomed the census, maintaining that reliable population data is essential for planning effective sterilisation, vaccination and animal management measures.
The information being sought will also cover the health condition of street dogs, their vaccination status and their territorial locations. Officials expect the involvement of local feeders and handlers to help survey teams identify animals accurately and prevent the same dogs from being counted more than once.
The MMC has set September 25, 2026, as the deadline for residents to submit the requested information to the designated municipal representative.
Narvekar has clarified that the exercise is intended solely to gather information. The census will not involve capturing, relocating or harming any animals.
The civic body is expected to use the information collected through the exercise as a baseline for future measures concerning community safety, animal welfare and the implementation of the ABC programme.
