Stray dogs are our valued protectors, not a threat

Dog bites represent a multifaceted topic. We should never forget that everyone wants to stay out of harm’s way, but one victim is hardly ever alone.

In my childhood at kalakshetra a dog bit my slippers from my feet leading to a life of campaigning for street dogs. But destroying shoes is the least of our worries today. Interspersing adverts as we watch television programs which depict suffering dogs being attacked by people they once considered friends on one hand; while on the other there are images of human beings maltreating dogs which seem to be trustworthy. Intervention between man and street dog has become an instant topic in the whole nation and even went an extra mile to be included in the voting policies.

Taking strays out of their territories is risky. Doing so creates a vacuum that is quickly filled by other feral dogs in the area. They are strange, unvaccinated, and pesky people. According to a post, we have as much as 60.5 million homeless cats and dogs living on our streets and at shelters. It also claims that some 38% are going to leave their pets behind – those shares are alarming! Pregnant stray dogs often combine both emotions: fear towards them and love for the forthcoming puppies… And even when dogs are vaccinated against some diseases they can still behave aggressively if not treated properly by their masters.

Dog attacks are often hard to unravel as there is rarely just one cause, though safety, especially of children, is a concern to everyone. At times, both people and animals become aggressive due to fear or confusion. To prevent such cases, it is important to understand the reasons behind them so that proper measures could be taken before they occur. Such factors could range from too strict handlers’ behaviors during training times through lacking places meant specifically for feeding homeless pets.

Indeed, a safe feeding place that is isolated can help avoid human conflict and assist in the control of the animals’ breeding population. We have put into practice measures since the year 2001 which involve birth control of these creatures and they are effective. The Animal Welfare Board of India made a list of actions that should be taken during incidents of biting by a dog, urgent attendance to victims, sensitization on sterilization and reduction of such problems. Besides reducing their number, sterilization prevents people from contracting rabies.

It is essential that we designate our roles among the community, municipal officials and animal welfare groups.

“If they are addressed strategically, it is quite simple. When homeless animals are vaccinated and sterilized, they tend to become more settled down and less territorial. These dogs usually feel less motivated to attack unwanted guests even when they are given food by people living nearby; therefore it might serve as good deterrence for intruders from outside who don’t mean well at all N. However we should also act responsibly as dog owners, not littering or feeding strays carelessly so that others can take up positions in preventing the number of stray dog population while at the same time making them aware about such canines and anti-rabies vaccination.”

For more than fifty-thousand years, humans have relied on dogs to be our loyal friends and protectors, offering them a place in society where they can be safe and enjoy life. What if instead of being feared as dangerous animals, free-roaming dogs were considered to be “man’s best friend”? Let us therefore integrate domesticated community pets into our lives; this way, safety measures will be in place with everyone being safe in their homes.