Minister of Animal Husbandry Nilkanth Halarnkar convened a meeting to discuss Goa’s stray dog sterilization policy. The gathering aimed to finalize guidelines for an effective sterilization program, addressing public health risks and animal welfare concerns. Attendees included prominent figures such as Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, and St. Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, along with other officials and stakeholders.

During the meeting, Minister Halarnkar emphasized the importance of implementing a comprehensive sterilization policy to control the stray dog population. He noted that dog owners who fail to register their pets and allow them to breed would face heavy fines. The minister also acknowledged the challenges faced by NGOs in obtaining funds and expressed the need for financial assistance to support their efforts.

Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao criticized the government’s approach, highlighting a lack of seriousness and the underutilization of allocated funds for sterilization initiatives. He pointed out that, despite a budget of Rs 3 crore, only Rs 58 lakh had been utilized, and local bodies were not cooperating with NGOs