Move comes in the backdrop of rising dog bite cases
Ponda/Panaji: This year, the Livestock Census has introduced a new feature — recording information on owned dogs and their breeds and strays across the state. The move comes in response to a rise in dog bite incidents, particularly involving aggressive breeds.
Central Director of Animal Husbandry and Dairy, V P Singh on Thursday said, “The Livestock Census has introduced a new feature — recording information on owned dogs and their breeds across the state, and even stray dogs are enumerated. This move comes in response to a rise in dog bite incidents, particularly involving aggressive breeds.”
He urged people across the state to take active part in the ongoing 21st Livestock Census.
Singh, who was speaking during a press briefing at Ponda, that the census had already covered 30% of the state and that by the end of the survey in February, they are expecting a 4% rise in the overall livestock population in the state. Also present were North Goa Nodal Officer Dr Narendra Naik, South Goa Officer Dr ManikPatil, and Statistical Officer Chirag Borkar.
Singh said, “The census is held across the nation every five years to make an accurate inventory of livestock. Based on this data, vaccination campaigns, animal welfare programmes, livestock health and disease management, and endangered breed preservation efforts are planned.”
The enumeration process in Goa began in November 2024 and is expected to be completed by February 2025. The survey is being conducted in 657 villages and urban wards with the help of 115 enumerators, 31 supervisors, and two nodal officers using digital data collection methods.
Singh said that the comprehensive survey will provide detailed data on 16 species and 221 breeds, including cattle, buffaloes, goats, pigs, donkeys, sheep, horses, dogs, and poultry birds like fowls and ducks.
“The survey data will enable better management and policy formulation for the state’s livestock and canine population,” he added.
Singh also said that enumerators will cover around 3.5 lakh households across the state to gain a clear understanding of the ground-level situation regarding livestock. He mentioned that early trends suggest a 4% increase in the livestock population in the state.
