One of the earliest references to dogs in Indian mythology is in the classic narrative of the Mahabharata which tells the tale of the Svana or stray dog that joins the epic’s hero, King Yudhishthira, in his final pilgrimage across the Himalayas after he renounces his throne. In the anecdote, the King wins entry through the gates of heaven by proving his devotion to the dog, thereby demonstrating his worthiness.
The story thus preaches the lesson of valuing the stray dog as a loyal companion and its consequent advantages. Not just the Mahabharata but indeed several ancient religions have traditionally promoted rituals of feeding homeless dogs as a means of retrieving blessings and benefits.
The position of the stray dog in modern day India however is quite different and has in fact increasingly acquired a negative association. The topic has gained attention, with the Supreme Court hearing a host of petitions relating to orders passed by various civic bodies on the culling of street dogs in light of the alleged rise in dog bite cases especially in Kerala and Mumbai. Nothing short of a war has erupted in the country between those who advocate the complete, and often violent, eradication of strays and those who lend a voice to homeless dogs, fighting for their right to live. So which side of the debate deserves precedence in this human-dog conflict? The answer is complex and deserves sufficient space in public discourse and policy.
Historically known as the Indian Pye or Pariah dog, this species of dogs is the naturally selected canine breed of the Indian sub-continent. Today their population can be measured at almost 20 million in the country. Packs of dogs can be seen in every city, sharing sidewalks, market places, parks and residential colonies with humans. Homeless and hungry, these dogs rely on their natural instincts to survive and carve a space for themselves in cities bustling with people. Given the limitations of space in urban settlements, there is a constant clash between humans and dogs.
The problem has escalated recently in certain parts of the country with vigilante groups taking matters into their own hands by forming barbaric ‘stray dog eradication committees’, arming civilians with airguns to kill stray dogs in large numbers. There have even been reports of these groups providing training to young children, encouraging them to participate in these horrific killings. In some cases matters have taken a sadistic turn with members of political groups brutally killing street dogs and displaying their carcasses as a symbolic protest.
Animal rights groups have in response joined forces with lawyers to submit petitions against these mass killings and vie for some kind of legal protection for homeless dogs in the country. However, giving legal legitimacy to these appeals must be accompanied by a general understanding of the issue at hand which may be achieved by answering some key questions – why is there such a high population of stray dogs in India? Do these animals actually pose a threat to society? Is mass killing and eradication an effective solution? And finally, what are the ways in which humans and stray dogs can co-exist?
Pye dogs have lived in Indian villages and cities for thousands of years but their numbers have escalated notably with the development of urban cities. Urban spaces present the dichotomy of a limited physical space with enabling conditions for the multiplication of stray dogs. These conditions can be broadly divided into – insufficient administrative action, poor sanitation standards, irresponsible pet ownership and animal welfare without responsibility.
For years, Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs) and activists have stressed the importance of an effective Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. Municipal bodies have been bestowed with the responsibility of running vaccination and sterilization programmes, thereby ensuring safety from animal-borne diseases for humans and dogs alike while simultaneously restricting the stray dog population. However, neither has there been an official census of the stray dog population in several years nor does there exist a smooth-running ABC program.
Animal Welfare Organisations have tried to play their part in establishing ABC programmes of their own but face manifold difficulties. “AWOs are handicapped by limited funding and rely mostly on donations to conduct their daily operations. Additionally, there aren’t nearly enough ABC centres in cities.” points out Amritika Phool, co-opted member of the Animal Welfare Board of India. Adding to this is the appalling sanitation and hygiene situation in urban cities, a prime example being exposed and overflowing garbage dumps which help sustain the stray dog population and facilitate further reproduction.
While unsanitary garbage disposal and negligent administrative action are undeniably chief contributors to the problem, the issue is also aided by ignorant and reckless civilians. Irresponsible pet ownership and dog walking often results in pet dogs mating with and impregnating stray dogs thereby adding to the number of litters produced each year on the streets. In addition, the fascination with buying foreign breeds coupled with a lack of knowledge regarding the many positive attributes of the Indian pye dog, has led to a thriving and often unethical breeding industry in the country.
Sadhwi Sondhi, Co-Founder of Red Paws Rescue in Delhi, says “Street dogs are such a common sight that people see no novelty in adopting them as pets at home. Moreover, most people think strays are dirty and there’s a taboo associated with them”. As a result, Indian pye dogs continue to throng the streets and fill cages in shelters with little hope of getting a permanent home. We must also recognize the consequences of animal caregiving without taking responsibility for sterilization and vaccination.
While those feeding street dogs are undoubtedly performing a good deed, it is imperative to fulfil caregiving responsibilities wholly by ensuring that the dogs are inoculated, and neutered or spayed. “Feeding strays is just one part of our responsibility. Keeping the population under control through sterilization and caring for their overall health and welfare are the other two critical parts of being a caretaker of stray animals” says Reecha Upadhyay, a devoted animal caregiver and activist.
The rapidly growing street dog population does not only lead to conflict with humans but is equally grim for homeless animals who endure daily hardships and often violent human behaviour to survive. It thus follows that the solution must be one of balance and equitable respect for all life forms. The Supreme Court of India has recently acknowledged that stray dogs have a right to life, however the judgement will translate into sustainable action only when and if it is complemented by a humane form of regulation and accountable compassion by authorities and civilians alike.