By Gregory F Shullai
When a dog becomes a stray, its behavior becomes unpredictable and uncontrollable. It prefers to wander rather than return to its normal comfort zone. But what exactly is a stray dog? Simply put, it’s a dog that has strayed from its home or has no human master.
A stray dog’s behavior is driven by its desire for immediate comfort, rather than its long-term well-being. It no longer serves its original purpose as a pet or guard dog. Instead, it prioritizes its own needs and desires.
As a stray dog, it’s no longer useful to its master, and its true nature begins to emerge. This marks the beginning of its transformation into a wild animal.
The next stage is when the dog’s primary goal is to mate and pass on its genes. It starts to operate on the principle of “might is right,” establishing its place in the hierarchy of stray dogs. It submits to the instincts and feelings of its kind, rather than the training and directions of its former master.
At this point, the dog begins to gain freedom from its dependence on humans and responds to the call of the pack. It becomes a force to be reckoned with, demanding respect and understanding its advantage as a member of the pack.
The final stage is when the dog becomes a leader, determining what’s best for itself and the pack. It takes charge, issuing instructions to other members of the pack. At this point, the dog is a collective leader, and the entire pack becomes a threat to humans and other animals.
To address the stray dog menace, it’s essential for the state to acknowledge the reality of the situation and establish laws to capture, confine, and neuter stray dogs. This requires a collective effort from dog owners, who must take responsibility for rearing their pets in a decent manner and understanding the moral implications of their actions.
By doing so, we can put an end to the stray dog menace on Shillong’s streets and promote a safer, more responsible community for humans and animals alike.
