Stray dog tangle
The recent Supreme Court ruling on stray dogs has raised critical questions about the government’s capacity to implement meaningful solutions. Does the government have the resources and infrastructure to carry out the apex court’s directives—or will it seek a review instead? Stray dog issues are real and escalating, posing threats such as attacks, rabies, and road accidents. Addressing this problem requires either eliminating it altogether or managing it through sustained sterilisation programmes. Animal rights advocates must also move beyond symbolic gestures like feeding strays and consider adopting or supporting long-term solutions. The unchecked rise in stray dogs is often fuelled by abandonment and neglect. Unlike aggressive pet breeds whose owners are held accountable, stray populations grow without oversight. Packs of hungry dogs can become dangerous and disruptive. India has spent significantly on gaushalas to protect cows, though their effectiveness remains debatable. A similar model—state-supported shelters for stray dogs—is now essential. NGOs cannot manage the burden alone without adequate funding and policy support. The Supreme Court’s suggestions should not be dismissed. With dedicated effort, even seemingly impractical measures can succeed.
Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim
Microchips for bulls
The state government has directed all bull and buffalo bull owners in Goa to microchip and register their animals within a month in order to prevent their use in illegal bullfighting locally called ‘dhirios’. It is pertinent to note that the main purpose to microchip animals is to provide a permanent and reliable method of identification, primarily for reuniting lost or stolen pets with their owners. Microchips offer a crucial backup to collars or ID tags which can be easily lost or removed or these tags can become worn-out and illegible. The microchip is a tiny device embedded under the animal’s skin, making it tamperproof and impossible to lose. Pet microchips are not tracking devices and do not work like Global Positioning Devices (GPS). The government’s latest move aims to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and ensure accountability by making every bull traceable through microchip, thereby preventing their use in illegal fights. The question that arises is whether a microchip embedded in a bull can detect whether the animal is being used in illegal fights. Microchips of bulls do not detect bullfighting, as they are used for identification and health monitoring, not for activity detection or tracking in a way that could identify a bullfight.
Adelmo Fenandes, Vasco
EC must tread cautiously
The primary role of the Election Commission of India is to facilitate elections and ensure inclusive voter participation. Given the complexities of voter enumeration—such as illiteracy, human error, and data inconsistencies—some errors in the voters list are inevitable. Even VIPs have faced exclusion, highlighting that perfection is unrealistic. Therefore, the commission should act with humility and caution. As a service-oriented body, it must engage with voters—regardless of status—through logic and transparency, not by being rigid, evasive, or threatening. Failing to do so undermines its core purpose.
S Kamat, Mysuru
Woes of Mumbai
Heavy rains and Mumbai is sinking again. But get this clear – Mumbai is sinking anyway, rain or no rain. Four-storey buildings are being ‘converted’ into 22-storey buildings. Hundreds of thousands slum dwellers who were living on ground level are being housed in 22-storied SRA building. On the land vacated by slum dwellers 58-storied building are sprouting – all in the small neighbourhood of Orlem. The same is taking place, on a larger scale, all over Mumbai. Nobody has given a thought to the support of this phenomenal infrastructural growth: water, transport, open spaces etc. Mumbai is sinking under the weight of its own greed and ill-planned infrastructure. The city will choke to a slow death! Goa must learn from Mumbai’s mistakes. Villages must ban construction of buildings beyond three floors.
Robert Castellino, Calangute
India’s hockey hopes
Indian hockey coach Craig Fulton believes his 18-member men’s hockey team for the upcoming Hero Asian Cup in Bihar’s Rajgir possesses the requisite experience, depth and balance to lift the cup. Back-to-back Olympics bronze medal winners India has reemerged as a force to reckon with at the global hockey stage. Obviously, the mood of the Indian players should be upbeat. The Rajgir Asian Cup is important because the winner will directly qualify for the FIH World Cup 2026 co-hosted by Belgium and Netherlands. Apparently, under skipper Harmanpreet Singh, the side consists of experienced players, and Fulton has rightly desisted from experimentation. An astute ability of the players to perform under pressure is noticeable in all three departments: attack, defence and midfield. At Rajgir, India is grouped along with Japan, China and Kazakhstan while the other group consists of South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei. On current form, India is the clear favourite.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
