UNDERSTANDING THE STRAY DOG BEHAVIOR &  WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS THAT EXIST WITH STRAY DOGS?

 

UNDERSTANDING THE STRAY DOG BEHAVIOR &  WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS THAT EXIST WITH STRAY DOGS?

Whether a dog is lost or was born a stray, his behavior will be markedly different to that of your own pooch. Street dogs are a lot more reliant on their survival instincts and are much more streetwise. Dogs who have roamed from their home and got lost may be anxious, confused and aggressive. Stray dogs also exhibit unpredictable behavior, so it’s important to approach them with caution and compassion.

WHAT BREED ARE THE STRAY DOGS OF INDIA?

The street dogs found in India are a big mix of different breeds over the years but the most common trait or breed used to define the Indian street dogs is the Pariah Dog. We personally don’t like this name as Pariah means ‘Outsider’ and this namesake was given by the British during their ruling in India. We prefer Apna (Our) Dog or simply Desi (national) Dog. This breed of dogs has been around for as far back as 4500 years ago.

Just like shopping on SevaStray, the assortment and uniqueness vary from place to place. Here are some of the common traits of desi dogs.

• Size: medium
• Weight: typically between 40-55 lbs
• Coat: Typically short
• Distinct features: Sharp longer snouts, perked up ears, curly tails.

WHY IS THE PARIAH / DESI DOG ONE OF THE BEST BREEDS?

If we just focus on the criteria of ‘features and benefits’ of a breed, the Desi dog outperforms practically any dog breed that is ‘bought’ and bred in India. They are extremely intelligent, which is required for their ability to survive with little human support. Just being able to cross a highly trafficked street in India requires the talent that most humans even lack.

Desi dogs are adapted to the climate of India unlike German Shepards, Rottweilers, Huskies, and other purebred dogs.

Desi dogs are loyal to their human friends and protective and their survival depends on defending their territory.

Indian street dogs are less prone to diseases from inbreeding such as cancer, hip dysplasia, etc. as this is the true breeding pool and natural selection process.

The traits of the breed, however, do not apply to any single dog, each dog is different and its behavior, abilities, and personality are going to vary from dog to dog, not by the breed.

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY STRAY DOGS IN INDIA? 

Before we get into the reasons behind why you see so many street dogs in India, it helps to understand why you don’t see them in developed nations like the United States

• Lack of programs

and government funding of animal control programs. In developed countries, almost every town, county, and state has a government program that is dedicated to capturing stray dogs, vaccinating, spaying and neutering, and working with a shelter for adoption. This is typically referred to as Animal Control, this does not fully exist in every part of India (yet). However, there are local municipal organizations that are working on programs quickly.

• Euthanasia

Just because you don’t see as many stray pets in the United States or other developed countries, does not mean that the process is humane. Other countries simply ‘manage the population’ and euthanize the dogs in shelters. In 1984, 17M pets were being killed in shelters annually. This is now down to 733K dogs per year because of the incredible work by non-profit organizations to promote the adoption of pets instead of buying them. YUCK. Still, this means that almost a million pets get killed every year in the US.

So now that we understand why you don’t see that many street dogs in other countries, it explains why you do see them in India.

• Open garbage

India is known for many things. Culture, food, music, but cleanliness isn’t one of them. There are several reasons for this, mostly because of the culture of only consuming biodegradable foods until the past 30-ish years where single-use items and plastic were introduced. Most garbage is thrown outside in the open, making food available for dogs to scavenge on and keep multiplying.

• Lack of spay and neuter programs

There are several factors for this, religious reasons (interrupting nature’s process), lack of government programs as mentioned above, lack of awareness and the benefits associated with spaying or neutering a pet.

• Can you kill stray dogs in India? 
  • No, you can’t.  Euthanasia is illegal – which is a great thing in our opinion and only a short term bandaid. More dogs will move in and keep reproducing in the area eventually. The killing of dogs has been banned since 2001.

HOW CAN YOU HELP A STRAY DOG IN NEED?

Before you jump into helping the street dogs, you really have to pause and consider how you want to make a difference. Every little bit helps, even if you can help one dog in your lifetime.

• Volunteer with a local non-profit organization. They always need help!
  • Is the dog injured?
    • Take it to your local vet. Most private vets help street dogs and want to help.
    • Contact a local organization that is helping stray dogs, this may be in the form of an NGO or a community that is working on improving the lives of street dogs.
  • Create a community dog program in your area in partnership with your neighbors to provide clean water and shelter for the dogs. Also, make sure you can get the dogs sterilized as well, not just feed them. Especially the female dogs, this will help you create a puppy free area for the future and the neighbors that don’t like dogs will even support you. It’s in the best interest of all stakeholders.

 

HOW MANY STRAY DOGS ARE THERE IN INDIA?

Since that isn’t an official number, we’ll go with the 30-35 million stray dogs which seem to be the number that different articles have claimed, like this one and this one. The number in the entire country doesn’t matter as much, it’s simply way too many dogs and it is a noticeable issue.

 

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS THAT EXIST WITH STRAY DOGS?

There are several issues that are causing the stray dog population in India to have a negative impact on how society views the dogs, most of them are genuine issues that need to be addressed.

• Human bites and the threat of Rabies: India has the highest rate of rabies deaths in the world, at 20,000/year according to the WHO (but who is WHO?)
• Impact on wildlife: The stray dogs in rural areas or wildlife areas can become the biggest predator threat to wildlife.
• The poor condition of the dogs: Most of the dogs are in poor health, especially in rural and low economical areas. The dogs suffer from all sorts of issues ranging from starvation, diseases such as parvo, distemper, rabies, mange, worms and much more.
• Poor treatment of the dogs: Because of the fear of rabies and bites, many people respond to this fear with violence and hit, injure or kill the dogs.
• Dogs getting hit by vehicles is one of the biggest reasons for injuries to street dogs, we try to help and do our part by giving away reflective collarsto organizations.

Communities divided

Street dog supporters	Against street dogs
Dogs are being beaten by people and treated poorly.	Dogs are dangerous and a threat.
We can’t see dogs starving to death in front of us.	Feeding the dogs allows them to keep multiplying and creating new dogs.
Dogs are living beings and equal to us.	Dogs are a nuisance

 

WHAT ARE THE BEST SOLUTIONS TO HELPING THE STRAY DOG POPULATION IN INDIA?

There is rarely a simple or one cookie-cutter solution for such complex problems, but we have tested many programs in collaboration with our NGO partners and based on all of the international research and results from the initiatives, below are the most effective ways to improve the well being of the dogs, listed in importance.

Reduce the population by conducting ABC (Animal Birth Control) programs

• Government programs exist for street dog sterilizations, such as municipal corporations.
• Privately of your own street community dogs.
• Focus on the female dogs first if you have limited resources.

Adopt don’t shop

• Stop the breeding of purebred dogs in India and only adopt the street dogs and puppies. There are so many breeders in India that are selling purebred dogs such as German Shepherds, Labradors, Pugs, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Rottweillers and most recently the Pit Bull Terriers. This may not be an issue in countries that have few or no street dogs or high euthanasia rates, but in India where there are 30-35 million street dogs, adding more dogs to a population should be reduced or made illegal. There are so many reasons for this, for example:
  • If just 3 out of 100 people adopted a dog, there wouldn’t be any stray street dogs left in India.
  • Improved lives of domestic purebred home dogs
    • Most of these dogs live inside a house in a limited area, tied to a chain or stuck in a backyard or rooftop.
    • The dogs don’t get any exercise except for a short morning or evening walk. Most of these dogs are big working dogs that are full of energy and very rarely are they able to get the exercise and training that they need. Most purebred dogs that we see in India are overweight and overexcited from the lack of exercise and mental stimulation.
    • The dogs are not the right dogs for the environment. The dog breeds that are bred and purchased in India are rarely fit to India’s climate which is hotter than most places in Europe or North America where the breeds originate from.
    • The owners can’t handle the dog. I can’t begin to tell you how often I see a dog walking a person. You read that correctly! The big guard dogs are taking the humans for a walk, dragging the women or housekeepers behind them and the walkers are simply trying to hang on for dear life. In early 2020, I was charged by a giant Rotweiller in the middle of the night that got loose from its walker who was a tiny little lady who simply couldn’t handle the breed of dog that big and strong.

Crackdown on dog abandonment 

• Dog abandonment is a truly big problem in India and when pet owners can’t take care of a dog or are having issues, they simply drive it far away and abandon the dog, thinking that it can survive on the streets like the millions of other dogs. Actually, we’re not sure what they are thinking or if they are thinking at all. This in our view, is one of the most inhumane practices and should be cracked down by government authorities. Not only is this inhumane to the dogs that are left to fend for themselves, who have never lived on the street and are most probably going to die a terrible death, this also adds to the street dog population increase.

 

WHAT IS A DIFFERENCE IN STRAY DOGS IN PUREBRED DOGS?

 Human perception. That is the main reason why so many desi dogs suffer on the streets while “purebred” dogs live comfortable lives inside homes. The craziest thing about this phenomenon is that all of the purebred dogs are imported dogs, they aren’t even our national dogs. So while our dogs suffer and fight to live on the streets, we import dogs from other countries, breed them and sell them as if they are property and not things.

I too suffered from this class system and dog racism while growing up. The thing is, we get our own sense of identity from external things. A nice car, a big house, a purebred dog, the list goes on. These external factors give us a sense of confidence and superiority in the eyes of society. Most of us are stuck in it, and its not really our fault necessarily, we simply get born into this system. It takes years of unlearning to reconsider different, objective ways of thinking about the problems that exist in society.

Risks of Approaching a Stray Dog

There are risks of approaching a stray dog. The biggest risk of approaching a stray dog is the possibility of bites or an attack.  This makes it critical to read signs of aggression and take special care.

How does a fearful dog behave when approached? He can run away, cower out of fear, hide, bite, or attack as a few options. It is also possible he could quietly come to you and be affectionate although this is less common.

Another risk of approaching a stray dog is one that runs away which can be into a more dangerous situation such as traffic.

Signs of a Dangerous Stray Dog

A sign of a dangerous stray dog is one that is overtly acting aggressively. Some dogs will only be aggressive if they are cornered and fearful during capture and others can be overtly in attack mode.

How do you identify a dog that has aggressive behavior? Signs of aggression can include snarling, growling, snapping, nipping, biting and lunging. This isn’t necessarily an abnormal behavior as aggression is a survival instinct. When dealing with stray dogs, you need to consider that you are dealing with a dog that can be fearful and unpredictable.

Signs of a potentially dangerous dog include:

• Avoiding eye contact by squinting, turning the head, or body away from the threat
• Biting
• Crouching body posture, lowered body, or tail tucking
• Dogs that cower back
• Erect ears
• Excessive drooling
• Growling when approached
• Intense tracking of you
• Lifting of the lips to show teeth or bear teeth
• Lip licking or yawning
• Low bark
• Pinning or flattening of the ears tightly to the head
• Raise hackles (hair on their back standing up)
• Snapping
• Stiff tail
• Stiffening or freezing of body
• Stiffness in posture

The safest thing to do if you have any questions about the safety of being around a stray dog is to avoid the dog. Call for help from animal control or the pound to help you. The most important thing is that you be safe.

Tips on How To Approach a Stray Dog While Staying Safe

1. Observe the dog from a distance. Does the dog seem appropriate? Erratic? Sick? Scared? Aggressive?  If you notice ANY of the above signs of aggression, back away slowly and calmly, avoid eye contact and call for help. Part of this observation is to look for any signs of rabies that can be fatal if you are bitten. Call for help. Call the police if you believe this dog is a treat.
2. Consider what you will do once you catch this dog. Some people spontaneously jump in to help then realize they just got in over their heads and don’t know what to do now. Consider if you do catch this dog where are you going to take it? Who can you call for help if you need it? What is open at the time you are doing this?
3. As you consider what you do, call the local shelter, humane society, or veterinary clinic to see what support they can provide. At least you will know your options if you need them.
4. When approaching a dog you don’t know, approach while making soft clicking or kissing noises so the dog knows you are there. Then watch. Look at the dog’s behavior. Does he seem fearful, aggressive, hungry? Avoid direct eye contact as this can appear to be an aggressive stance on your part.
5. If you have a dog with you, consider if he is helping or hurting you. Having a dog with you can complicate things and make the dog more afraid. Strays are commonly skittish and scared and having another dog compete for attention or treats can be a distraction.  Assess the situation. On the other hand, some stray dogs may better connect with another dog rather than a human.
6. A good way to connect with a stray dog is to offer a treat. Gently toss a treat or any food toward the dog. Watch how the dog acts. Be careful.  The best treats are meat-based.
7. The next step really depends on your experience with dogs. If you have any doubt about a dog’s aggression potential, the safest thing to do is to call for help.
8. If you believe the stray dog is not dangerous, you can continue to offer treats. Let the dog come and get close to you. Take your time. No sudden or loud movements. Speak quietly in a soothing tone.
9. If you have a slip lead or leash and can safely put it over the dog’s head, do so.
10. Now what? If the dog appears friendly, you can transport him to the local shelter, rescue group, humane society, or veterinary clinic. At this point, you may not know for sure if the dog is owned, lost, stray or abandoned. Wherever you take him they should check for a tag, collar, and microchip.
11. If at any point you observe the dog and believe they are not safe, call for help!

 

FIVE Myths About Street Dogs That Are Totally False

Imagine walking down the street and being approached by a dog. All they want to do is say hello, sniff you and follow you around for a little while. Those big puppy eyes, tail wagging and sloppy kisses all around—sounds therapeutic, right? Now imagine if they were a street dog.

For most of us, the sight of street dogs in India brings about feelings of fear, disgust or even apathy. We may mean no harm but our encounters with street dogs often result in us changing lanes, shooing them away or even, unfortunately, in violence. There are many myths about street dogs that we are exposed to but that doesn’t mean that they are all true. Here are 5 such myths that are totally false!

 

1. Street dogs are dangerous

Any animal (or even humans, for that matter) is made “dangerous” by their circumstances. No dog wants to chase you or bite you because they can. These are reactions that are triggered by the experiences they have faced in their lives and how others around them have treated them. If you treat them with kindness and respect their space, they will do the same for you.

Did you know: The official term for stray dogs is actually free-ranging dogs or street dogs

2. Street dogs are unhygienic and carry diseases

Street dogs in India are often left to fend for themselves and have to make do with whatever they can. They usually don’t have homes to go to or pet parents to look after them, which is the reason behind them being dirty or eating scraps off the road. All they are trying to do is survive. So, the next time you spot a street dog in your community, you can get them any of these essentials to make their lives a little better, comfortable and safer.

 

3. Street dogs are not friendly or social

As mentioned above, how a street dog behaves around you is shaped by their past interactions with other humans. If they have been threatened, mistreated or simply driven away, then they may not take kindly to you, feel intimidated by your presence or trust you easily. It’s natural for them to be guarded, in this case. But if they have grown up around caring, loving individuals who have looked after them, they will see you as friendly too and treat you the same way. It’s patience and adequate space that helps street dogs shed inhibitions and come say hello. This process can be accelerated with regular feeding or tossing them a dog treat every now and then.

Did you know: 

• No law in India prohibits people from feeding street dogs
• Under The Cruelty to Animals Act (1960), it’s illegal to deliberately maim/injure any stray animal. If found guilty, a case can be filed or the perpetrator can be reported to the local animal protection group & even to the police.

4. Street dogs or/and Indian dog breeds can’t be good pets

This is completely untrue! Street dogs or/and Indies are equally capable of loving their pet parents and making an amazing addition to any family. They are smart, resilient, loyal companions who are native to India and well-suited to living in the Indian climate. If you are looking to adopt a dog or take in a streetie from your community, you’ll be giving them a good home and getting lots of love in return.

5. Street dogs are not as affectionate as breed dogs

Again, street dogs will treat you like how you treat them. If you are kind and respectful of them and their spaces, they will reciprocate the feeling.

Did you know: A research study based out of Kolkata identified that street dogs built trust with humans over being petted repeatedly than with being offered food.

 

FAQs on understanding the behaviour of stray dogs:

1. Is there a difference between the way strays and pet dogs behave?

Even though their language is the same, the way they behave is often contrasting. In fact, the behaviour of village strays is distinguishable from city strays. This is caused by a long history of differences in breeding and environmental factors. Their experience with humans also varies. They differ based on the functionality of the dog.

In villages they are independent and alert when required. In urban areas, they depend a lot on humans for food and petting. They seek out humans as their exposure to humans is higher than village dogs. Pet dogs are very friendly and need even more attention from humans.

Their behaviour depends on their experience with the nature of humans around them.

2. Does a wagging tail always mean the dog is friendly and can be approached?

All wagging doesn’t mean they are friendly. Tail wags by itself have different meanings. Even if the tail is high above their body you must look at the entirety of a dog’s body – eyes, ear and stance.

Observe the dog for a complete picture. The dog’s ears may be standing straight up or falling back. See if they are standing straight in a balanced way or leaning towards one side. The position of the mouth – open/ panting/ showing teeth/ licking is also crucial. See if the eyes and forehead seem relaxed, soft or under stress.

Also pay attention to the dog’s surrounding environment. For instance, if a female dog is feeding her pups, one must never approach her.

3. If a dog is showing teeth or barking, does it necessarily want to attack me?

Look at the whole-body posture. Sometimes a dog just wants to play. Or maybe he wants you to leave and let him be alone. Showing teeth doesn’t always mean they will cause any harm. They may also be scared, and their body language may change quickly. It is not always a cause for concern.

4. What precautions can I take to avoid confronting a stray dog?

Don’t walk close to a sleeping dog. Don’t take a dog by surprise. Avoid groups of dogs that look a little aggressive. Be mindful of your own body posture around dogs. Don’t appear dangerous to them. Don’t show your panic in a way they will notice. Even if you panic in your head, don’t reveal it through your body language.

5. Does my dog face a communication gap with stray dogs?

Yes. Because your pet dog has more experience communicating with you, their dog language is diluted. Sometimes they are unable to catch cues and send signals properly while communicating with stray dogs. Strays have a very refined and proper language as they have grown up with dogs around them.

6. How can I befriend a stray dog?

Give a polite space to the dog to be comfortable around you. Call them out and see if they approach you. If a dog comes and licks your hand, withdraw your hand and wait it out. If they come again and nudge your hand, only then pet them.

Even when two dogs meet, they do not meet face to face. Their polite way to meet is head to tail. They seek permission and then greet each other.

7. Why do stray dogs run after vehicles?

When stray dogs see a bike and start chasing, do not accelerate the bike. The acceleration is a trigger for them. So, always stop the bike and only start the engine once they are stable. Similarly, if a vehicle makes a sharp turn, they will quickly start barking or chasing the vehicle. This is because they know if a car takes a sharp turn the chances of a dog being hit increases. This is their way of warning.

8. How can I peacefully walk with my pet dog around territorial stray dogs?

Do not introduce your puppy to a stray dog as they do not appreciate hyper behaviour. They may get pissed and snap at your pup. Introduce your pup only to patient stray dogs. Carry your pup around and introduce them from a distance. Read the body language of stray dogs and ensure they are comfortable around your pup.

You may also take a walk around the stray dogs without your pup to gather their behavioral trends. See how they behave with other pet dogs. Also check for where the strays are being fed because they are territorial about that place. Either ask the feeder to change the feeding area, or walk your dog on another route. Use a proper leash and reduce the length while crossing strays. Make sure you apply proper strategy to tactically handle any situation.

STREET DOG  ISSUE : SOLUTIONS &  STRAY DOG’S  LEGAL RIGHTS IN INDIA 

Compiled  & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)

 

Image-Courtesy-Google

 

Reference-On Request.