The Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AHVS), Goa, has issued an advisory following confirmed cases of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) in parts of the state. The disease, which primarily affects dogs, poses a serious threat to unvaccinated pets, underscoring the importance of timely vaccination and preventive care.
Rajasthan has become the first and only Indian state to act on the Supreme Court’s directive regarding the feeding of stray dogs. With designated ‘feeding spots’ being set up, the state is taking a compassionate and structured approach to managing India’s stray dog population, which is estimated to be between 15 to 60 million.
In a strong show of unity at Azad Maidan, Panaji, the Goa Animal Federation (GAF) and hundreds of dog lovers urged the Goa Government to launch an urgent, large-scale sterilization and vaccination program for community dogs. The gathering celebrated the Supreme Court’s revised humane and scientific order on stray dog management, while calling for expanded infrastructure and government accountability.
The Supreme Court has modified its earlier order on stray dogs, extending the directive across India. Stray dogs will now be taken to shelters, vaccinated, and released back in the same area. The Court has also banned feeding stray dogs in public places, warning of strict action for violations.
Captain Tejas Kovlekar from Ponda has joined the Indian Army’s Remount Veterinary Corps—an elite unit dedicated to the care and training of animals in service of the nation. A lifelong animal lover, Tejas is one of only four Goans to be commissioned into this specialised corps.
