Goa records over 48,000 dog bites in 27 months

In the last 27 months, over 48,000 dog bites were reported at the state-run health facilities in Goa, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday told the Goa assembly.

In response to a question from Congress legislator Aleixo Reginaldo, Parrikar in his written reply said that in the year 2015, 20,023 dog bite cases were reported, while in 2016 the number went up to 21,069.

Until March this year, 6,954 dog bite cases were reported in the state's 34 state-run health facilities, which include public health centres, community health centres and other such facilities.

"As per information received from the Directorate of Health Services, there were no deaths due to dog bites," Parrikar said.

The Chief Minister said that the state government was considering setting up of a shelter for stray dogs in order to curb the menace.

--IANS

maya/nir/vt