WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCREASING NUMBER OF STRAY DOG ATTACKS?

 

Stray dog attack cases have long been a subject of debate in India. Due to repeated attacks, it has been termed a menace and has become an issue of concern in many cities. The relationship between humans and dogs is thousands of years old. Their nature is usually friendly, but sometimes the friendship needs to be questioned. 

India has the largest street dog population on earth, with about 62 million stray dogs, and the largest number of rabies deaths in the world. Every year about two crore people are bitten by animals in India. About 92 percent of these cases are dog bites. Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Maharastra states have the highest number of stray dogs. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and West Bengal reported the highest number of dog bites.

 

TRAGIC INCIDENTS OF DOG BITES

Of late, Parag Desai, the Executive Director of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group, hurt himself outside his residence and suffered a brain hemorrhage on October 15 as he was trying to escape from a street dog attack. Later, he passed away after being on a ventilator for seven days. This incident took place in Ahmedabad. 

February 19, 2023, another tragic incident occurred in Hyderabad when a 4-year-old boy was fatally attacked by three stray dogs on a deserted street.

Last year, a woman was killed by a pack of stray dogs in Begusarai, Bihar. According to reports, her husband stated that Meera Devi was returning from the fields when the stray dogs of the area attacked her. Such reports are often read from different parts of the country.

 

WHAT IS THE OPINION OF EXPERTS AND ACTIVISTS?

It has become very challenging for individuals to face the wrath of street dogs. Usually, the dogs on the streets do not harm humans but if they feel scared or sense any kind of harm towards their litter, food, or territory, they act in defense.

Experts and activists are also shocked by the increasing incidents of stray dogs biting and killing children across the country. Even some pet dogs were involved in some incidents. Nevertheless, experts have stated the key reasons for such problems as follows:

1. The rise in the number of packs leads to a scarcity of resources for each dog. This is one of the key reasons for aggressive behavior in dogs and incidents of attack on humans and other animals.

If a family gives five or six loaves of bread to the dogs every day, this will be enough food for just one dog for a day. Thus, a family can care for only one dog. But, as the number of stray dogs increases, the food gets divided among the dogs which is not enough for them. If there are many stray dogs in a crowded area, it becomes difficult for them to find food even from the garbage. As a result, they must go from one place to another to get food and this competition for food also affects their nature. This is also the main cause of aggression in stray dogs.

2. Reasons like traffic noise, the habit of common people throwing garbage on the roads, and bright and dazzling lights also affect their nature. According to Dr. Shibu Simon of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, there can be different reasons for every incident of a dog attack. One such reason is that when dogs eat raw meat, in some cases their behavior turns autocratic.

​3. Overpopulation leads to several puppies being born each year. One female dog can give birth to 20 puppies in one year. Each puppy is taken care of aggressively by a pack of dogs. Once a puppy dies due to an accident by car or bike, the pack considers the vehicle as its enemy and chases it. This also leads to aggression in dogs and increases the risk of attacks on humans.

4. Aggressiveness in dogs is the most controversial issue and needs to be addressed practically. Not all stray dogs are aggressive. Most do not bother any human around them. However, an aggressive dog can disturb harmony. One such dog can form a pack of two, three, or more dogs as it becomes the alpha of a pack.

5. According to Kaveri Rana Bhardwaj, an animal rights activist and rescuer, such dogs can only be sent back to their locality if they show a behavior change. Ignoring signs of aggression, defending aggressive dogs, and preventing their removal from the area can lead to a disastrous situation.

6. Feeding dogs at places that are away from homes is important. Dogs have a territorial tendency and it's their nature to protect the human who is providing them food. They become protective of the house but react differently in an otherwise situation.

7. According to Veterinary doctor Ajay Sood, most cases of dog bites are related to fighting and protection of territory. He says every dog determines its territory. Now, on the one hand, the human population is increasing, on the other hand, the number of dogs is also increasing rapidly. In such a situation, their territory has started decreasing. When it becomes difficult for them to protect that area, then the dogs start feeling insecure. They start feeling that humans are entering their area and in such a situation they become aggressive.

 

NEGLIGENCE OF CIVIC AGENCIES

Under the law of 2001, killing dogs is prohibited in India. The Supreme Court order of 2001 clearly states that it is the responsibility of civic agencies to control the population of stray dogs by spaying them. Due to a lack of will and resources, most of the civic agencies fail to effectively launch vaccination and spaying drives.

Abhinav Srihan, an animal rescuer is of the view that corporations are running short of veterinary doctors and paramedics, centers for neutering dogs are also very limited. The corporation is lawfully bound to prevent dog attacks. There are many NGOs and individual dog lovers who help in the spaying and vaccination of strays, but with minimal efforts from civic bodies, it's very hard for them to control the stray dog population. 

In the year 2001, to gradually reduce the number of stray dogs, the government brought Animal Birth Control Rules (ABC), which talked about sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs. Responsibility for the welfare of dogs was given to individuals, organizations working for the welfare of animals, and local government officials.

People say that these rules of 2001 place the rights of humans and animals on an equal footing, which is not right. They say that they also have dogs and they are like members of their family, but they are not humans and no country can equate the rights of dogs with human rights.

​Dr Shibu Simon also believes that the ABC program is not sufficient for the needs of such a big country. Ryan Lobo says that as a photographer, he has seen stray dogs killing deer or chital and causing destruction. Therefore, there is a need to control the presence of dogs in human-owned public places.

Ayesha Christina of the Neighborhood Woof organization is a supporter of the 2001 rules. According to her, the problem is not in the rules, but in their implementation and lack of resources. She says, "ABC cannot be left only to local officials or authorities. Therefore, other stakeholders will have to come forward to participate in it. Non-governmental organizations will have to step forward. There is a need to set up sterilization centers at the district level, at the block level. Old closed schools will have to be converted into ABC centers. Mobile clinics can also be started."

The distance between the two parties is so great that the matter is in the Supreme Court, where according to Meghna Uniyal, the court is hearing the validity of the ABC rules. Meghna is a party in this court case against the rules.

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH STRAY DOGS?

​Some say that stray dogs should be removed from the streets and they should be killed, while the other side says that killing them is not the right solution to reduce their numbers. The matter has reached the courts several times. If you look at it legally, it is illegal to remove dogs from the streets. Also, you cannot run dogs off the street, because when a dog is on the street, the law gives it the right to remain there until it is adopted. At the same time, there has been a ban on killing stray dogs in India since 2001. Earlier the Mumbai High Court had allowed the municipality to kill "nuisance" dogs, but the decision was later suspended by the Supreme Court.

In the year 1960, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act was passed, the objective of which was to stop cruelty to animals. But critics blame these rules for increasing the number of dog bites. These rules involve killing those dogs who cannot be treated or are so injured that they cannot be cured. But those who are in favor of the rules believe that this is the only way to deal with stray dogs.

​BE SURE TO KNOW THESE THINGS:

•      Dog bites can introduce dangerous bacteria into the body. This can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections if left untreated. 
•     Dogs have a habit of chasing. Some people run away after seeing dogs. If the dog feels that you are strong, he may not attack you. But as soon as you start appearing weak to him, he does not stop pursuing you. That is why they often attack children and old people.​
•      Dr Simon cautions that people should be very careful during their morning walks, because if a stray dog attacks, others may also join in. They recommend that you neither tease a stray dog nor give any indication that you are scared. 
•      Whenever the dog barks, never run away, walk slowly.
•     Carry a stick with you while going for a walk at night or in the morning.
•     If there are dogs outside, do not leave children alone in the street
•     If dogs bark while you are driving a two-wheeler, do not drive fast, but drive slowly, etc. 
•    If a stray dog has gone mad or is hurt, it needs immediate treatment. 
•     Do not provoke or tease a dog.
•    Do not panic and run away after seeing a stray dog on the road or street. Stand quietly.
•   If the dog shows aggressive behavior, do not approach, slowly back away and take another route. 
•    If bitten by a dog, apply pressure to stop bleeding, wash the wound with soap and water, and cover it with a clean bandage. 
•   If the cut is deep and you cannot control the bleeding, seek immediate medical care. 
•    If the skin is torn, you should see a doctor within 24 hours.

Many people also blame feeding stray dogs for the problem. However, the Animal Welfare Board of India says that no one can stop anyone from doing so. If someone feeds stray dogs, it is not legally wrong. But, while feeding them, you must ensure that the dogs are vaccinated. At the same time, if a person dies after being bitten by a stray dog, no one can be blamed for it.

It is also clear that nowadays, dogs have started exhibiting more aggressive behavior than before, although no one knows the reason for this. But, after sterilization, dogs remain irritable for some time, which gradually becomes normal. After this, they reduce biting and barking. However, it cannot be denied that the attitude of the Municipal Corporation, animal welfare organizations, and civil society groups has been indifferent and neglectful.

 

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