The Meghalaya High Court has said that stray dogs in Meghalaya have “peculiar and distinctive feature” unlike other parts of the country stating they are “biters and vicious”. It has ordered the State government to catch and vaccinate all stray dogs and to also observe their nature before releasing them from dog shelters.
How these stray dogs were characterised to be so “peculiar” remains to be seen as the court continues its hearing on the subject. But the description of their nature has left many dog lovers, especially the feeders, to disagree with the statement as there is no scientific evidence or data, statistics for the court to generalise all stray dogs to be dangerous. For those with cynophobia the labelling has created a jumpscare.
As per the government, dog bite cases are on the rise every year in the state with 5,302 cases reported in 2022 and 9,611 cases in 2023. East Khasi Hills District has reported more than 50 per cent of these cases with 2,512 cases reported in 2022 and 5,085 cases in 2023. More than 80 per cent of the cases being reported are from urban areas.
While awareness on rabies and free mass vaccination for dogs was conducted in the city last year little has been done on managing the strays. The State does not even have data on the number of stray dogs in the city but claims to manage stray dogs, including sterilization and shelter placement through the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. If such initiatives are happening on the ground the state would have data on whether it has been keeping pace with the birth rate to prevent the increase in stray dog population.
Experts and activists have voiced their concerns about the inadequacies in animal healthcare and control mechanisms, which have contributed to the unchecked proliferation of the stray dog population. The government cannot be solely blamed for stray dog menace in the state. Many have a great desire to own a pedigree dog and then choose to abandon the Indies (especially females) on the street or let them explore outside their premises without being sterilised. This, dog lovers say contributes to stray overpopulation then comes food scarcity and infections that are factors to trigger dogs’ aggressive behaviour.
Any dog can bite: big or small, male or female, young or old. Even the cuddliest, fuzziest, sweetest dog can bite. Experts say it’s not only about the dog. Human behaviour dramatically influences stray dog behaviour; consistent mistreatment leads to fear and aggression. Shooed and beaten with stones, sticks, footwear or anything a person can lay hands on… what other choice do stray dogs have? Canine researchers put a dog’s cognitive abilities comparable to a human 2.5 to 3-year-old with sensory experiences and emotional responses different from those of humans. So it is understandable by any bipeds.
While positive interactions, including providing food and shelter, can foster trust and reduce fear, collaboration among government agencies, non-governmental organizations, veterinarians, community members, and other stakeholders it is possible to improve the healthcare and well-being of stray dogs and promote harmonious coexistence between humans and animals.
