Goa lifeguards trained to handle stray dog attacks

Panaji: There has been a worrying increase in stray dog attacks on beaches in Goa. In the first three months of 2025, the number of tourists bitten by stray dogs has already matched the total for the entire year of 2023. This rise is significant compared to just one reported case in 2022. Drishti Marine, an organization managing lifeguards, noted that 21 cases were recorded in 2024. Lifeguard and operations manager, Sashikant Jadhav, shared that both Indian and foreign tourists have been victims, and even some lifeguards have been bitten. In one incident, a pack of dogs attacked a foreigner on Mobor beach, resulting in severe injuries. To address this issue, Drishti Marine has partnered with Mission Rabies to train lifeguards. This training teaches them how to identify aggressive stray dogs and manage dangerous situations effectively. Lifeguards will learn practical strategies to enhance safety for both tourists and themselves. The increase in the stray dog population is linked to people abandoning dogs on the beach. The latest government census shows that Goa has about 56,000 stray dogs. In response to the growing threat, the tourism department plans to begin a sterilisation drive to help reduce conflicts between stray dogs and humans.