Sri Vijaya Puram | 3 August 2026
A baby goat that had reportedly remained stranded on a tin rooftop in Sundar Colony, Megapode, since the morning of 3 August was rescued at around 5 PM after the Fire Service was alerted by a local resident.
According to information received by Dweep Tulika, the Fire Service reached the location and completed the rescue within approximately half an hour of receiving the information.
A local resident, K Jyothi, an engineer, reportedly noticed the stranded animal and contacted the Fire Service, leading to its eventual rescue.
While the immediate incident ended safely, residents have raised concerns over what they describe as a recurring problem involving unattended goats and other livestock in the locality.
According to residents who spoke to Dweep Tulika, this was not the first such incident in the area. They recalled an earlier incident in which a goat reportedly fell into a well. Despite attempts by residents to rescue the animal, it was found too late and could not be saved.
The incidents have prompted questions about the responsibility of livestock owners to ensure that animals are safely contained and do not wander into hazardous locations.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands Municipal Regulation, 1994 provides municipalities with powers to regulate the keeping of animals and to make licensing provisions concerning premises used for keeping animals including sheep and goats.
At the same time, goat farming is an established livestock activity in the Islands. The Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services promotes goat farming and provides training and assistance to farmers.
The issue, therefore, is not the keeping of livestock itself, but whether animals are being properly contained, monitored and protected from avoidable risks in residential and municipal areas.
The use of emergency services for animal rescue also raises a question of prevention. While the Fire Service's intervention in this case helped prevent a potentially serious outcome, better supervision and appropriate containment by livestock owners could reduce the need for emergency intervention.
The incident also highlights the role of ordinary citizens in responding when animals are found in distress. In this case, a resident's decision to report the stranded goat ultimately led to its rescue.
For residents, the episode serves as a reminder that animal ownership carries a responsibility not only towards the animal but also towards the safety and convenience of the surrounding community.
Dweep Tulika could not independently verify the earlier reported goat incident or the frequency of similar cases in Sundar Colony. These details are based on information provided by local residents.