Expressing serious concern over the surging stray dog population and sluggish implementation of animal birth control measures, the High Court has directed both the State and Union Animal Husbandry departments to place official census figures on record, while issuing strict compliance ultimatums to local governing bodies across the state.

​The court's directions came after official gazette notifications revealed that the stray dog-to-human population ratio in Goa rose sharply from 3% in 2014 to 9% in November 2022—nearly four times the global average. Based on a human population of approximately 16 lakh, the street dog count is estimated at nearly 1.5 lakh, contrasting sharply with disputed central estimates citing around 56,000 dogs.

​The High Court impleaded the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry as new Respondent alongside the State Animal Husbandry Secretary. Both authorities must submit comprehensive stray dog census data by the next hearing. Under the 2022 policy formulated per Supreme Court directions, authorities are mandated to achieve a 70% sterilization rate for stray dogs within five years.

The High Court also reprimanded all 13 municipal councils for failing to submit compliance reports. Chief Officers have been directed to positively file their respective affidavits detailing existing infrastructure before the next date of hearing, that is fixed for 1 September.