Panaji: The District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), North Goa, has opposed the tourism department’s drive to place stray dogs on beaches for adoption and has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the seven-day notice issued for the initiative.The DSPCA alleged that the tourism department’s action violates statutory provisions as well as directions issued by Supreme Court. “Unilaterally declaring public beach stretches as exempted or high-footfall areas to justify the removal or relocation of animals is illegal and contempt of the SC mandate,” said Dexter Braganza, honorary executive secretary of DSPCA, North Goa.In a letter addressed to the tourism department, the directorate of animal husbandry and veterinary services, and the Animal Welfare Board of India, the DSPCA cited the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, as the principal statutory provisions governing the issue. It added that the PCA Act provides the broader legal foundation for protecting animals from cruelty and regulating actions that affect their welfare.The organisation also warned that forcibly evicting or displacing animals could raise serious animal welfare concerns and may trigger territorial disputes or other unintended consequences when animals are moved from familiar surroundings.Beyond seeking withdrawal of the public notice, the DSPCA called for clear instructions to all departmental personnel and beach-monitoring staff to refrain from interfering with community animals and local caretakers in any manner that would contravene applicable statutory provisions or judicial directions.
