Street Dogs Estray Dogs Street Dogs Guide How to stop Stret Dog from Biting? How to adopt street dog? How to pet a street dog? Free-Ranging Dog Street Dogs Origin Factors Leading to Stray Dogs What does "stray dog" mean? Street Dogs Skills, Behaviour & Habits Why are stray dogs a problem? What behaviors can I expect from a street dog? Street Dog Appearance Street Dog Diet How does a street dog differ from a domesticated dog? What is the Difference between Stray & Street Dogs? What to do if you've found a stray dog? What are the challenges of owning a street dog? Can street dogs successfully become family dogs? Can roaming dogs adapt to home pet life? How to Stay Safe around Street Dogs? Safety Tips for Meeting Stray Dog What to do if a dog is stray? Common Myths about Street Dogs How to help stray dogs? Are all street dogs strays? Street Dogs by Country Roaming Dogs Feral Dogs "Wild" Dogs
Stray Dogs are typically lost or abandoned pets, while Street Dogs are born and raised on the streets.
What is a Street Dog? A street dog is a free-spirited animal, often characterised by their expressive eyes, lively tails, and rugged yet charming appearance
A free-ranging dog is a dog that is not confined to a yard or house
Free-ranging dogs include street dogs, village dogs, stray dogs, feral dogs, etc., and may be owned or unowned.
The global dog population is estimated to be 900 million, of which around 20% are regarded as owned pets and therefore restrained.
There is no specific color, height, or weight for a stray dog. Dogs come in every shape and size, and the only factor that separates a stray dog from a house dog is the small issue of ownership. All canines, barring those few who bear genetic mutations, are born with four legs. Beyond that, there is little in the way of similarity. Dogs can have long snouts, short snouts, or can be brachycephalic. They can have bulging eyes or beady eyes. Ears can be long and hairy or tall and upright.
A dog's body can be short, long, compact, or spindly. Tails - bushy, curly, or missing - all depend on the pedigree of the animal. The main identifiers for a stray dog are the animal's outward body condition. A stray animal will likely be emaciated with visible bone structure or grotesque bloated abdomen, though pot-bellies are indicative of a parasite overload and not a sign of proper diet. The hair coat of a stray dog will be unkempt and likely filthy. Longer haired animals will be covered in mats and tangles. Some breeds will have a build-up of eye or nasal discharge. A stray dog's nails may be so long they have grown into the foot pad. All in all, a general appearance of neglect will accompany a stray dog.
STREET DOG DIET
Dogs are widely thought of as carnivorous, but they are not beholden to a need for a protein-only diet. A stray dog will eat almost anything a human might classify as edible, including vegetables, candy, fruit, or fast food. The most important factor in diet is the smell of the item. A sweet-smelling bowl of sugared fruit will be more enticing than a garden-fresh piece of broccoli. When desperate, stray dogs will often eat plastic containers that smell like food.
WHAT BEHAVIORS CAN
I EXPECT FROM
A STREET DOG?
Street dogs are very different from domestic rescue dogs. The main reason for this is that a genuine street dog has had no education about how to live with humans. Some are really feral and avoid humans. Street dogs would have had to survive on the streets, find their own food, defend their own territory, and keep themselves safe. In some of these countries humans would be considered very dangerous to street dogs because of a low tolerance for them. Some of these dogs may be living with permanent emotional scars from their experiences surviving on the streets.
But, you ask, surely these typical behaviours do not apply to the puppies born from street dogs in the rescue centre? Well, yes actually, they do. We must not forget that behaviour traits can be inherited and the puppies may be genetically programmed to have the skills required to survive on the streets. These puppies are likely to be predisposed to being fearful of humans, resource guarding and territorial as well as being very creative in escaping difficult situations and finding food resources, no matter how challenging they are to find.
Furthermore, these puppies born of street dogs in captivity usually stay in kennels until old enough to be exported, missing their entire socialisation window. Given the genetic history, early socialisation would be the best chance of coping in close human society, but this often isn't possible. These inherited skills combined with inadequate socialisation do not necessarily make for a particularly welcome houseguest and can lead to a great deal of conflict and frustration for the owner as well as for the dog.
HOW DOES
A STREET DOG
DIFFER FROM
DOMESTICATED DOG?
Our domesticated dogs have evolved to live in our family homes over many generations, so many natural canine behaviours have been diluted. For example, most domestic dogs donโt hide foods or dig shelters because, for generations, they have not needed to. Most domestic dogs' activity patterns are synchronised with human activity patterns. For example sleeping at night and waking when we awaken. But a street dog will cache food and likes to dig the earth to keep warm, or cool. For a street dog it is a normal to defend resources, to protect their territories, and to find their own food after spending many hours searching and hunting. Domesticated dogs do these behaviours far less as they were born into captivity and have not needed to exhibit these behaviours for generations.
Street dogs are crepuscular animals preferring to be more active at dusk and dawn - the very time we want to be resting. They will Interact freely with their social groups and they have exquisite canine communication skills unlike our typical domesticated dogs who often lack social skills with other dogs due to insufficient early experience and generations of restricted social opportunities with conspecifics. Street dogs tend to be highly predatory. Whilst some domestic breeds can be predatory, it is far more frequent in street dogs. Predation is not modifiable with training as it is instinctive. This behaviour often results in street dogs not going off lead, further reducing their quality of life with a heavy toll on their emotional state. Street dogs are free to do what they want to do, when they want to do it, where they want to do it, and how they want to do it. Domestic dogs are mostly raised to follow human rules and boundaries. Which life would you prefer to live?
ARE ALL
STREET DOGS STRAYS?
Some street dogs are not actually "strays", they are owned by people who do not make them wear collars. These dogs roam away from their homes during the day whilst their owners work and come back in evening when their owners return just dropping in for food and night time shelter. These dogs lead highly enriched lives and are very happy. Some of these owned dogs have been taken off the street by well meaning rescue organisations.
Can you imagine how that would feel being removed from everything you know - the people you love, the safety of your home taken away, put into a kennel with strange dogs and then shipped in a vehicle for many hours with other terrified dogs? At the end of an arduous and scary journey, you emerge in an unfamiliar place with strange people. You do not understand the culture, rules - as you have never lived by any, you do not understand the language and you do not understand your own species. These enormous uncontrolled changes have a profound effect on these dogs, leaving many with long term trauma.
THE CHALLENGE
OF LIVING WITH
A STREET DOG
The biggest problem is that we expect street dogs to live by the same rules as our domesticated dogs. Some of the street dogs are feral but we still expect them to be sociable, not to guard their or our things or bite our visitors whilst they enter our homes. We do not want them marking their territories in our homes - for example, urinating on curtains and furniture and we do not want them to wake us up early. We want to offer them all our love and cuddles even though the dog may not feel safe near a human. These ideals exert huge pressure on a street dog. It is also very stressful for their owners if they don't know what to expect.
CAN A
STREET DOG BECOME
A FAMILY PET?
There is a great deal that can be done to help them to be able to "conform" to the way we want our dogs to live and many do adapt. It will usually take many years and a heap of patience to achieve some degree of โ normalityโ. This can be achieved by giving them their own safe space away from humans so they can retreat if they want to. Accept that they are not really domesticated and will need a high degree of freedom. We can, to some degree, reproduce this by engaging in "free work". We should use positive reinforcement and shaping behaviours - rewarding them for behaviours they offer but you have not prompted. Reproduce the kind of enrichment they enjoy, such as: foraging, climbing, swimming, denning, hunting games such as an adapted flirt pole game - just use rope to tow the toy "animal", not the pole as most are frightened of sticks.
There will need to be compromises. If you have a predatory street dog, she will always be predatory, nothing will change this desire. Do not then introduce a cat, or have chickens running loose in your garden as they won't be there for very long. Do not expect your street dogs to understand your rules or comply with them easily. Street dogs can find restrictions extremely frustrating and, yes, even depressing. Frustration can lead to aggression. Street dogs may not be shy about using aggression as this is how they survive to get resources they need. Aggression is a natural canine behaviour. Our domestic dogs are educated from a young age, so that they do not need to use aggression. Responsible breeders will only breed from breeding stock that are not aggressive, so the risks of aggression should be lower in domestic dogs.
Do not get a street dog if you do not have a huge amount of space at home where they can retreat and a large garden for them to be free. You will need to check carefully that they cannot get out as they are excellent escape artists. If you have small pets that your street dog might encounter then you will need to exercise great care to keep them separate. Do not get a street dog if you live on a corner plot or have a pathway bordering it as this is likely to activate territorial aggression as a street dog will try to keep everything away from her territory, which will increase her stress.
Please give careful consideration to how you will meet your street dog's needs. Many of these dogs are simply unable to live successfully in full domesticity. The environment they live in should, as far as possible, replicate the environment they came from. For example, a city street dog will adapt to traffic, however, a country or coastal street dog will find living in a town extremely difficult. Be prepared to live with the dog you have adopted rather than attempt to change the dog to fit your world as this is rarely successful. If you have a dog who is fearful of people, and you are a gregarious household, then this dog is not for you. You will not change her to fit in with your world, you are more likely to find your social life shrinking as people fear visiting a family with a reactive dog.
FREE-RANGING DOGS This material proudly presented by WWW.WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Free-ranging dogs are common in developing countries. It is estimated that there are about 62 million free-ranging dogs in India.In Western countries free-ranging dogs are rare. In Europe they are primarily found in parts of Eastern Europe, and, to a lesser extent, in parts of Southern Europe. Free-ranging dogs pose concerns about the spread of rabies, especially in regions of the world where the disease is endemic.
Different policies exist around the world with regard to the management of free-ranging dogs, including trap, neuter and return, the permanent removal of dogs from the streets and their indefinite housing in animal shelters, their national and international adoption, or their euthanasia. Policies regarding stray dogs have been the object of ongoing controversy in recent decades. State governments, animal rights organizations, veterinarians and NGOs have been involved in managing free-ranging dogs around the world.
STREET DOGS ORIGIN
Dogs living with humans is a dynamic relationship, with a large proportion of the dog population losing contact with humans at some stage over time. This loss of contact first occurred after domestication and has reoccurred throughout history. The global dog population is estimated to be 900 million and rising. Although it is said that the "dog is man's best friend" for the 17โ24% of dogs that live as pets in the developed countries, in the developing world pet dogs are uncommon but there are many village, community or feral dogs.
Most of these dogs live out their lives as scavengers and have never been owned by humans, with one study showing their most common response when approached by strangers is to run away (52%) or respond aggressively (11%). Little is known about these dogs, or the dogs in developed countries that are feral, stray or that are in shelters, as the majority of modern research on dog cognition has focused on pet dogs living in human homes.
FACTORS LEADING
TO STRAY DOGS
Stray dogs are dogs without an owner. While the term stray dog is sometimes used to refer specifically to dogs which have been lost, in a more general sense a stray dog is any unowned free-ranging dog. Four Paws defines stray animals as "those animals who are either born on the streets or have become homeless due to abandonment". Several factors lead to the existence of stray dogs. In some cases, the problem originates in the past, with the dogs having lived on the streets for many generations.
Such dogs are born on the streets, having never been owned, and live in a feral or semi-feral state. Other stray dogs have been previously owned and ended on the streets because they were abandoned by their owners, either at birth - when the owners could not accommodate a litter, or at a later time, especially if the owners faced economic challenges, lifestyle changes, or health issues. Some owners abandon their working dogs if they are dissatisfied with their performance. Dogs can also end up as strays in cases of natural disasters, armed conflicts or other calamities.
CATEGORIES
OF STREET DOGS
Historically, stray dogs have existed in almost all places where there were dogs. While today in some Western countries stray dogs are no longer present, stray dogs continue to exist in most parts of the world. There is confusion with the terms used to categorize dogs. Dogs can be classed by whether they possess an owner or a community of owners, how freely they can move around, and any genetic differences they have from other dog populations due to long-term separation.
Owned Dogs Owned dogs are "family" dogs. They have an identifiable owner, are commonly socialized, and are not allowed to roam. They are restricted to particular outdoor or indoor areas. They have little impact on wildlife unless going with humans into natural areas. Domestic dogs are all dog breeds - other than dingoes, selectively bred, kept and fed by humans. They can be pets, guard dogs, livestock guardian dogs or working dogs. Domestic dogs may also behave like wild dogs if they are not adequately controlled or are free roaming.
Free-ranging Owned Dogs A free-ranging dog is a dog that is not confined to a yard or house. Free-ranging owned dogs are cared for by one owner or a community of owners, and are able to roam freely. This includes "village dogs", which live in rural areas and human habitations. These are not confined. However, they rarely leave the village vicinity. This also includes "rural free-ranging dogs", which also live in rural areas and human habitations. These are owned or are associated with homes, and they are not confined. These include farm and pastoral dogs that range over particular areas.
Free-ranging Unowned Dogs Free-ranging unowned dogs are stray dogs. They get their food and shelter from human environments, but they have not been socialized and so they avoid humans as much as possible.Free-ranging unowned dogs include "street dogs", which live in cities and urban areas. These have no owner but are commensals, subsisting on left over food from human, garbage or other dogs' food as their primary food sources. Free-ranging unowned dogs also include feral dogs.
Feral Dogs The term "feral" can be used to describe those animals that have been through the process of domestication but have returned to a wild state. "Domesticated" and "socialized" (tamed) do not mean the same thing, as it is possible for an individual animal of a domesticated species to be feral and not tame, and it is possible for an individual animal of a wild species to be socialized to live with humans. Feral dogs differ from other dogs because they did not have close human contact early in their lives and socialization.
Feral dogs live in a wild state with no food and shelter intentionally provided by humans and show a continuous and strong avoidance of direct human contact. The distinction between feral, stray, and free-ranging dogs is sometimes a matter of degree, and a dog may shift its status throughout its life. In some unlikely but observed cases, a feral dog that was not born wild but lived with a feral group can become rehabilitated to a domestic dog with an owner.
A dog can become a stray when it escapes human control, by abandonment or being born to a stray mother. A stray dog can become feral when it is forced out of the human environment or when it is co-opted or socially accepted by a nearby feral group. Feralization occurs by the development of a fear response to humans. Feral dogs are not reproductively self-sustaining, suffer from high rates of juvenile mortality, and depend indirectly on humans for their food, their space, and the supply of co-optable individuals.
"Wild" Dogs
The existence of "wild dogs" is debated. Some authors propose that this term applies to the Australian dingo and dingo-feral dog hybrids. They believe that these have a history of independence from humans and should no longer be considered as domesticated. Others disagree, and propose that the dingo was once domesticated and is now a feral dog. Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries defines wild dogs as any dogs that are not domesticated, which includes dingoes, feral dogs and hybrids. Yearling wild dogs frequently disperse more than 100 km (62 mi) from the place where they were born.
The first British colonists to arrive in Australia established a settlement at Port Jackson in 1788 and recorded dingoes living there with indigenous Australians. Although the dingo exists in the wild, it associates with humans but has not been selectively bred as have other domesticated animals.
The dingo's relationship with indigenous Australians can be described as commensalism, in which two organisms live in close association but without depending on each other for survival. They will both hunt and sleep together. The dingo is therefore comfortable enough around humans to associate with them, but is still capable of living independently, much like the domestic cat.:โ128โ129โ Any free-ranging unowned dog can be socialized to become an owned dog, as some dingoes do when they join human families.
Another point of view regards domestication as a process that is difficult to define. It regards dogs as being either socialized and able to exist with humans, or unsocialized. There exist dogs that live with their human families but are unsocialized and will treat strangers aggressively and defensively as might a wild wolf. There also exists a number of cases where wild wolves have approached people in remote places, attempting to get them to play and to form companionship.
Street Dogs
Street dogs, known in scientific literature as free-ranging urban dogs, are unconfined dogs that live in cities. They live virtually everywhere cities exist and the local human population allows, especially in the developing world. Street dogs may be former pets that have strayed from or are abandoned by their owners, or may be feral animals that have never been owned. Street dogs may be stray purebreds, true mixed-breed dogs, or unbred landraces such as the Indian pariah dog. Street dog overpopulation can cause problems for the societies in which they live, so campaigns to spay and neuter them are sometimes implemented. They tend to differ from rural free-ranging dogs in their skill sets, socialization, and ecological effects.
In Paraguay, in 2017, Diana Vicezar established a community-based organisation designed to tackle the issue of abandoned, unsheltered dogs, as well as plastic pollution. The scheme encouraged volunteers to build shelter for these dogs using recycled materials. By 2019 it had three international chapters, and had worked with 1000 people.
STREET DOGS: MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS This material proudly presented by WWW.HEADSUP FORTAILS.COM and Soharni Tennekoon
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 does not 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 do not 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 dog breeds can not
be good pets
This is completely untrue! Street dogs or 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 will be giving them a good home and getting lots of love in return.
4. Street dogs are not
as affectionate
as breed dogs
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. A research study based out of Kolkata identified that street dogs built trust with humans over being petted repeatedly than with being offered food.
5. 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 is 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 is 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. No law in India prohibits people from feeding street dogs. Under The Cruelty to Animals Act (1960), it is illegal to deliberately maim or 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.
STREET DOGS: STRUGGLES, RESILIENCE AND HOPE This material proudly presented by VISHNU (เคตเคฟเคทเฅเคฃเฅ) K and Soharni Tennekoon
Street dogs, often referred to as stray dogs or feral dogs, lead lives that are marked by adversity, survival, and a unique bond with the urban environment. In this article, we will delve into the world of street dogs, shedding light on their challenges, their remarkable resilience, and the efforts made by individuals and organizations to improve their lives.
The Daily Struggles Street dogs face a daily battle for survival. They must scavenge for food, shelter, and water while navigating the hazards of city life. Often, they are subjected to harsh weather conditions, disease, and the constant threat of vehicular accidents. Their lives are a stark contrast to the pampered existence of pet dogs.
The Survival Instincts One of the most fascinating aspects of street dogs is their innate survival instincts. They adapt to their surroundings, forming loose social structures within their communities. This adaptability is a testament to their resilience and the incredible ability to find sustenance in the most challenging circumstances.
Community Bonds Street dogs often form bonds with other strays, and it is not uncommon to see them in small packs. These packs provide companionship and protection. While their relationships may appear fleeting, they are vital for their emotional well-being.
Human Interactions Street dogs have complex relationships with humans. They can be both loved and loathed. While many people offer food and shelter, others may view them as a nuisance. Understanding these dynamics sheds light on the challenges faced by street dogs.
The Role of Animal Welfare Organizations Numerous organizations and individuals work tirelessly to improve the lives of street dogs. These organizations focus on rescue, sterilization, vaccination, and rehabilitation. They aim to reduce the population of street dogs and provide them with medical care, food, and safe havens.
Adoption and Rehoming Some street dogs are fortunate enough to find forever homes through adoption efforts. These dogs often make loyal and loving companions, dispelling the misconception that street dogs are inherently aggressive or unsuitable as pets.
The Global Perspective Street dogs are not unique to one region or country. They exist worldwide, and different regions have various approaches to managing and caring for them. Some countries have implemented successful street dog management programs that serve as models for others.
Challenges Ahead Despite the progress made in street dog welfare, numerous challenges remain. These include overpopulation, disease control, and changing public perceptions about street dogs.
How can YOU help? If you want to make a positive impact on the lives of street dogs, there are various ways to get involved. You can volunteer with animal welfare organizations, donate to their causes, adopt a street dog, or even start local initiatives to address the needs of strays in your community. Street dogs are a resilient and vital part of our urban ecosystems. While their lives are filled with struggles, there is hope for their well-being as more individuals and organizations work towards improving their lives. Understanding the world of street dogs helps us appreciate their resilience and encourages us to take action to ensure a better future for these often overlooked members of our society.
The International Street Dog Foundation is dedicated to saving the lives of street dogs around the world.
Rehoming dogs in extreme need, Providing medical assistance to dogs, Spay and neuter clinics, Raising awareness on issues facing dogs around the world, Influencing governments to implement and enforce animal welfare laws
STREET DOGS: SKILLS, BEHAVIOR & HABITS This material proudly presented by WWW.WIKIPEDIA.ORG
STREET DOGS:
SKILLS & ADAPTATIONS
Dogs are known to be a highly adaptive and intelligent species. Free-ranging dogs commonly form packs. To survive in modern cities, street dogs must be able to navigate traffic. Some of the stray dogs in Bucharest are seen crossing the large streets at pedestrian crosswalks. The dogs have probably noticed that when humans cross streets at such markings, cars tend to stop. The dogs have accustomed themselves to the flow of pedestrian and automobile traffic - they sit patiently with the people at the curb when they are stopped for a red light, and then cross with them as they have noticed how cars stop when a large number of people cross the road like that. In other countries, street dogs are said to have been observed to use subway and bus services.
STREET DOGS:
BEHAVIOR
Free-ranging dogs tend to be crepuscular animals, and are often inactive during daytime, especially during the heat of the summer. Free-ranging dogs commonly form packs. The dogs rest close to their resource sites in their territory, choosing a place that enables maximum visibility of the surroundings. For sleeping, they often choose locations in the core of the territory, preferring areas with shade. The dogs seek spaces which shelter them from harsh weather, and often rest or sleep under parked cars. Free-ranging dogs who have been in this state for generations have developed certain traits through natural selection in order to be able to survive in their respective environments.
Wild dogs rest during the day, often not far from water, and their travel routes to and from resting or den sites may be well defined. They are usually timid and do not often stray into urban areas unless they are encouraged. Those with a recent domestic background or regular close contact with people may approach dwellings or people. Wild dogs are attracted to places where they can scavenge food, and deliberately or inadvertently feeding them can make them dependent on humans. Wild dingoes in remote areas live in packs, often of 3โ12 animals, with a dominant (alpha) male and female controlling breeding. Packs establish territories which usually do not overlap. Wild dogs, particularly dingoes, visit the edge of their territory regularly. This checking of the boundaries is termed the dog's beat.
Wild dogs are often heard howling during the breeding season which, for pure dingoes, occurs once a year. Hybrid dogs have two oestrus cycles each year, although they may not always successfully raise young in each cycle.After a nine-week gestation, four to six pups are born in a den that provides protection from the elements and other animals. Dens may be in soft ground under rocks, logs or other debris, or in logs or other hollows. Pups are suckled for 4โ6 weeks and weaned at four months. They become independent of their parents when they are 6 weeks to 2 months old, with those becoming independent at the later time having a higher rate of survival. Increased food supplied by people also enables more pups to survive to maturity.
According to Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, wild dogs can be found on grazing land, on the fringes of towns, in rural-residential estates, or in forests and woodlands - anywhere there is food, water and shelter. They will eat whatever is easiest to obtain when they are hungry, animal or vegetable matter. They will hunt for live prey, or will eat road-killed animals, dead livestock, and scraps from compost heaps or rubbish. They mostly take small prey such as rabbits, possums, rats, wallabies and bandicoots.
When hunting in packs, they will take larger animals such as kangaroos, goats or the young of cattle and horses. Their choice of primary prey species depends on what is abundant and easy to catch. They usually hunt in the early morning and early evening, when they locate individual prey animals by sight, approach them silently, and then pursue them. Wild dogs that depend primarily on rubbish may remain in the immediate vicinity of the source, while those that depend on livestock or wild prey may travel up to 20 km (12 mi). In a Perth study most of the 1400 dogs involved in livestock attacks were friendly and approachable family pets - very few were aggressive to people.
STREET DOGS:
RABIES IMPACT
Rabies in India - accounts for 36% of the world's rabies deaths! In 2011, a media article on the stray dog population by the US National Animal Interest Alliance said that there were 200 million stray dogs worldwide and that a "rabies epidemic" was causing a global public health issue. In 2024, the World Health Organization reported that dog bites and scratches caused 99% of the human rabies cases, and that 40% of victims were children under 15. It also estimated that there were about 59,000 human deaths from rabies annually, most of them occurring in Asia and Africa. Rabies cases in recent years have occurred in Europe also. In 2012, in Romania, a 5-year-old girl died after she was bitten by a rabid stray dog.
In the United States, although rabies is present primarily in the wildlife, in 2022, 50 dogs tested positive for rabies. In Africa, about 21,000โ25,000 people die annually due to rabies. There have been debates about whether pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for rabies (preventative rabies vaccines) should be administered as part of routine vaccination schemes to children who live in areas where rabies is endemic and where there are many free-ranging dogs. While PrEP does not eliminate the need for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) (the life-saving treatment needed after being bitten by a potentially rabid animal), PrEP simplifies the post-exposure prophylaxis treatment needed.
STREET DOGS:
CONVERTATION IMPACT
Large numbers of free-ranging dogs can pose a threat to wildlife. Dogs have contributed to 11 vertebrate extinctions, and are a known or potential threat to 188 threatened species worldwide: 96 mammal (33 families), 78 bird (25 families), 22 reptile (10 families) and three amphibian (three families) species. In an urban environment, free-ranging dogs are often apex predators. Increasing numbers of free-ranging dogs have become a threat to the snow leopard and young brown bears on the Tibetan Plateau because dog packs chase these animals away from food.
Free-ranging dogs are often vectors of zoonotic diseases such as rabies, toxocariasis, heartworm, leptospirosis, Capnocytophaga, bordetellosis, and echinococcosis that can be spread to humans, and can also spread canine distemper, canine adenovirus, parvovirus and parainfluenza, which can infect other dogs and also jump into species such as African wild dogs, wolves, lions and tigers. In addition, they can interbreed with other members of the genus Canis such as the gray wolf, the Ethiopian wolf and the dingo, alongside those outside the genus such as the pampas fox, raising genetic purity concerns.
In a study conducted in 2018-2020, a wolf-dog hybrid was discovered in the Southern Carpathian forests of Romania. The study found that although this discovery may presently seem insignificant, it could pose a threat to the genetic integrity of the wolf population in the long term, and it advised the studying of the problem of stray dogs entering the habitat of wolves.
STREET DOGS:
THE MANAGEMENT
Given the problems associated with free-ranging dogs, including spread of diseases (especially rabies, with dog bites and scratches being responsible for 99% of the global human rabies cases), attacks on humans or other animals, and increased risk of road accidents, many places where there are free-ranging dogs have developed strategies to manage such dogs. Common approaches include the "Trapโneuterโreturn" approach where the dogs are sterilized and, if possible, vaccinated, and then returned to the streets, or conversely, an opposite approach where the free-ranging dogs are permanently removed from the streets, by housing them indefinitely in animal shelters, giving them to adoption (including international adoption) or euthanizing them. The latter is controversial, but practiced in many countries; in the United States, every year, about 390,000 dogs in shelters are euthanized.
The prevention of rabies is a major goal of policies dealing with stray dogs. Mass rabies vaccination of stray dogs can be successful, provided at least 70% of stray dogs in a community are vaccinated, in order to achieve herd immunity. However, rabies vaccination of stray dogs is complex, and there are challenges to successfully managing and delivering such vaccination. A policy of "Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return", where the stray dogs are captured, sterilized, vaccinated and then released back on the street, is advocated by animal rights organizations such as Four Paws. However, where this cannot be achieved, a simplified and cheaper version of only sterilizing the dogs is adopted, which helps reduce their numbers in time, but slows down the rabies eradication efforts. Policies such as oral vaccination of stray dogs have also been proposed.
There have been campaigns to educate tourists about their interaction with free-ranging dogs. This includes the necessity of getting prophylactic vaccines when traveling to some areas, the immediate seeking of medical care after being bitten by dogs, in order to prevent diseases such a rabies, tetanus and infections, and exercising caution around stray dogs, especially when they are in packs. Lack of awareness of health hazards associated with free-ranging dogs can result in injury and even death among tourists. Since 1990, over 80 American tourists have died from rabies after being exposed while traveling abroad.
The WHO and international veterinary organizations have expressed their concerns about a possible rabies outbreak in Europe due to the war in Ukraine. According to Four Paws, before the war there were about 200,000 stray dogs in Ukraine, but by 2024, the number is estimated to have reached about a million. In 2022, in the UK, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs enacted a temporary ban on importing dogs from from Ukraine, Belarus, Romania and Poland.
The ban was lifted on 29 October 2022, with new tighter animal health regulations entering into force. The UK is a rabies free jurisdiction, although a rabies-like lyssavirus, called European bat lyssavirus 2, exists in bats, and in 2002 a bat handler died due to this virus.Although there is no rabies in indigenous dogs in the UK, there have been cases of people dying of rabies in the UK in the 21st century, after contracting the disease abroad, with the most recent case occurring in 2012, when a woman died in London after having been bitten by a rabid dog in South Asia.
STREET DOGS by COUNTRY This material proudly presented by WWW.WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Street Dogs
in Afghanistan
A group of stray dogs became famous in Afghanistan after confronting a suicide bomber, preventing fifty American soldiers from being killed. However, one of the surviving dogs, Target, was mistakenly euthanized when she was brought to the United States.
Street Dogs
in Bhutan
In October 2023, Bhutan achieved 100% sterilization of its free-roaming dogs. A nationwide sterilization initiative was carried out under the Nationwide Accelerated Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Program (NADPM&RCP) by the government. The program to manage stray dogs started in 2009 and multiple phases were carried out to achieve 100% sterilization. Stray dogs are feared in Bhutan when they move around in packs. Dog bites are of concern in almost all cities.In May 2022, six feral stray dogs mauled and killed a seven-year-old girl in Genekha. Stray dogs have also historically poised a problem for tourists in Bhutan, who have complained about the disturbance caused by nightly howls. An ear notch indicates a dog has been sterilized and vaccinated.
Due to the collapse of vulture populations in India, which formerly consumed large quantities of dead animal carcasses and terminated certain pathogens from the food chain, India's urban street dog populations have exploded and become a health hazard. Mumbai, for example, has over 12 million human residents, over half of whom are slum-dwellers. At least five hundred tons of garbage remain uncollected daily. Therefore, conditions are perfect for supporting a particularly large population of stray dogs. In 2001, a law was passed in India making the killing of stray dogs illegal. Contrary to misconceptions that this law exacerbated problems, evidence shows that humane methods, such as vaccinating and sterilizing dogs, are more effective in controlling the street dog population and reducing rabies cases.
For instance, World Animal Protection highlighted how Mexico eliminated human rabies through mass dog vaccination. Similarly, initiatives like World Veterinary Service's (WVS) Mission Rabies have successfully vaccinated and sterilized 70% of dogs in Goa, making it the first state in India to become rabies-free. These approaches align with global health recommendations, emphasizing vaccination and sterilization over culling to effectively manage rabies and street dog populations.
In Pakistan, several dog breeds exist including the Gaddi Kutta, Indian pariah dog, Bully Kutta, among others. In the city of Lahore, the Public Health Department launched a campaign to kill 5,000 stray dogs. In 2009, 27,576 dogs were killed within the city of Lahore. In 2005, this number was 34,942. In 2012, after 900 dogs were killed in the city of Multan, the Animal Safety Organisation in Pakistan sent a letter to Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif recommending that "stray dogs be vaccinated rather than killed.
Street Dogs
in Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, there is a No-Kill Policy for street dogs, hence neutering and vaccinating are encouraged. Despite the proposal for an updated Animal Welfare Act, century-old law against animal cruelty still exist, so they are subjected to cruelty in various forms.
There is a number of street dogs in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The number of street dogs in Bulgaria has been reduced in recent years. While in 2007 there were 11,124 street dogs in Sofia, the number dropped to 3,589 in 2018.
Street Dogs
in Greece
There are stray dogs in Greece. In 2017, a British woman who was a tourist was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs.
Street Dogs
in Italy
Around 80% of abandoned dogs die early due to lack of survival skills. Stray dogs are primarily found in Southern Italy.
Street Dogs
in Moldova
In 2023, it was estimated that there were about 5.000 stray dogs on the streets of Chisinau, Moldova's capital. During the first half of 2024, 791 people in Chiศinฤu were bitten by stray dogs.
Street Dogs
in Portugal
The 2023 National Census of Stray Animals found that there were 101,015 stray dogs in Portugal.
Street Dogs
in Qatar
There were so, so many dogs. To give you a sense of just how many, picture an average city block. Now, picture walking this block and seeing 25 to 30 dogs lounging on the sidewalks, crossing the street, looking for food, scrounging in garbage bags and socializing and playing with one another. In the large city of Quito, most of the dogs were rather aloof and always seemed to be on the move with clear business to attend to. In the smaller villages, the dogs were generally more social with us and content to simply hang out.
It is estimated, as of 2024, that there are 400,000 free-ranging dogs in Serbia. These dogs are found both in urban and rural areas. In 2011, the largest groups of urban free-ranging dogs were found in Belgrade (more than 17,000), Novi Sad (about 10,000), Niลก (between 7,000 and 10,000), Subotica (about 8,000) and Kragujevac (about 5,000)
Street Dogs
in Turkey
While many developing countries harbor high numbers of stray dogs as a result of neglect, Turkey's problem is a little different. In 2004, Turkish government passed a law requiring local officials to rehabilitate rather than annihilate stray dogs. The Animal Protection Law No. 5199 states a no kill, no capture policy, and unlawful euthanization are prosecutable offenses. It requires animals to be sterilized, vaccinated, and taken back to the place where they were found.
Another reason for the increase in stray dog numbers is that it is easier to adopt a dog in Turkey than in many other nations. Even "dangerous breeds" could be homed before the "dangerous dogs" bill was passed at the beginning of 2022. Still, this means the vetting process for dog ownership is not extensive. There is no real punishment for discarding dogs to streets. Istanbul, the most populous city of the country, is home to one of the highest concentrations of stray animals, with an estimated 400,000 to 600,000 dogs roaming the streets. In total, it is estimated that 3 to 10 millions of stray dogs live in Turkey and expected to rise up to 60 million in 10 years.
Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are euthanized because shelters are too full and there are not enough adoptive homes. In 2016, between 592,255 and 866,366 street dogs were euthanized in the US. In Detroit, it was estimated that there were about 50,000 stray dogs in 2013. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, more than 3 million dogs enter animal shelters each year in the U.S. This staggering number becomes even more shocking when we know that around a fifth of all shelter dogs get euthanized.
Street Dogs
in Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico, street dogs are known as satos. In the late 1990s it was estimated there were 50,000 street dogs in the U.S. territory. By 2018 there were around 300,000 stray dogs in Puerto Rico. Programs to address the problem have been launched by the Humane Society of Puerto Rico and others. In 2018, a non-profit organization called Sato Project launched its first "spayathon", a large-scale project to spay and neuter satos of Puerto Rico. Other initiatives include having mainland U.S. residents adopt the island dogs.
Street Dogs
in Latin America
Free-ranging dogs are common in Latin America. There are about 6 million in Peru and 4 million in Colombia.
Street Dogs
in Mexico
There are about 16 million free-ranging dogs in Mexico.
Locally known as Askals, street dogs in the Philippines, while sometimes exhibiting mixing with breed dogs from elsewhere, are generally native unbred mongrel dogs.
Street Dogs
in United Kingdom
In UK Anyone who finds a stray dog must make an attempt to reunite them with their owner if they know who they are, or report them to the dog warden if they do not. The police are not responsible for stray dogs in England and Wales. We do not often see them wandering the streets, but at any given time there are more than 100,000 stray dogs in the UK. While we do not necessarily agree with dogs being kept outside, it is not illegal to do so.
Street Dogs
in Equador
There were so, so many dogs. To give you a sense of just how many, picture an average city block. Now, picture walking this block and seeing 25 to 30 dogs lounging on the sidewalks, crossing the street, looking for food, scrounging in garbage bags and socializing and playing with one another. In the large city of Quito, most of the dogs were rather aloof and always seemed to be on the move with clear business to attend to. In the smaller villages, the dogs were generally more social with us and content to simply hang out.
In fact, it is estimated that nearly 90% of street dogs in Bali have somewhere they call home to go to. However, the 10% of dogs that are stray grow daily due to a lack of government support for a sterilization program. Sadly, animal abuse is not unknown either despite being anathema to Hindu and Bali culture.
Street dogs, commonly soi dogs (in Thai soi means "side-street", "lane", or "alley") in Thailand, are ownerless, free-ranging dogs. These dogs are sometimes rounded up and sold as meat in Vietnam and China.It is estimated that there are about 8.5 million dogs in Thailand, of which about 730,000 are abandoned by their owners. Bangkok alone is estimated to have from 100,000 to 300,000 street dogs. Few have been vaccinated against canine diseases. In the 1990s, more than 200 dogs were euthanized each day. In 2000, however, the Animal Guardians Association campaigned against the practice, which they argued violated Buddhist principles. They launched a sterilization program in Bangkok. The campaign generated substantial public outcry against the euthanasia, and the city adopted a pro-life dog policy.
Stray dogs are very common in Russia. They are found both in the countryside and in urban areas. In Russia, street dogs are accepted by the common people and are even fed by the local population, including in the capital city of Moscow. However, capturing of stray dogs by doghunters' vans and being culled has been documented since around 1900. The number of street dogs in Moscow is estimated to be up to 50,000 animals.
Their sad lot was dramatized by Anton Chekhov in the famous short story Kashtanka, by Mikhail Bulgakov in the novella Heart of a Dog, and by Gavriil Troyepolsky in the novel White Bim Black Ear. When the number of street dogs massively increased in the 1990s and in the beginning of the new millennium it came to many attacks on human, the dogs were captured and killed. In recent years the attitude and strategy towards street dogs has changed. The dogs are caught, sterilized and it is ensured that the dogs have enough to eat.
The dogs keep the city free of food leftovers and rats. Since 2002 in Moscow there exists a monument dedicated to the stray dog called Malchik (Eng: "Little boy"). Stray dogs in Moscow have adapted their behavior to traffic and the life of Moscow. The dogs even ride the metro and understand the rules of traffic lights and are often called Moscow's metro dogs.
Street Dogs
in Romania
In Romania, free-ranging urban dogs (called in Romanian literally "wasteland dogs") have been a huge problem in recent decades, especially in larger cities, with many people being bitten by dogs. The problem originates primarily in the systematization programme that took place in Communist Romania in the 1970s and 1980s under Nicolae Ceauศescu, who enacted a mass programme of demolition and reconstruction of existing villages, towns, and cities, in whole or in part, in order to build standardized blocks of flats (blocuri).
The dogs from the yards of the demolished houses were abandoned on the streets, and reproduced, multiplying their numbers throughout the years. Estimations for Bucharest vary widely, but the number of stray dogs has been reduced drastically in 2014, after the death of a 4-year-old child in 2013 who was attacked by a dog. The Bucharest City Hall stated that over 51,200 stray dogs were captured from October 2013 to January 2015, with more than half being euthanized, about 23,000 being adopted, and 2,000 still residing in the municipality's shelters.
Although the number of stray dogs in Romania has been reduced significantly during the past 15 years, there have been recent fatal incidents, including in 2022, when a man was mauled to death by a pack of 15-20 stray dogs in Bacau County, and in 2023, when a woman who was jogging in a field near Lacul Morii in Ilfov County was attacked and killed by stray dogs. Many stray dogs in Romania are adopted abroad, with the most common receiving countries being Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Belgium.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE FOUND A STRAY DOG? This material proudly presented by WWW.DOGSTRUST.ORG.UK
The dog you have found could be a much-loved pet. If you have found a dog that appears to be a stray, here are some practical things you can do to help reunite the dog with their owner. Remember that they may not be a stray at all, but a much-loved pet who has wandered away from their family. Here is what to do if you see a pooch on the loose:
CHECK DOG COLLAR
FOR A TAG
If it is safe to do so, check to see if the dog is wearing any form of identification that will enable you to return them directly to their owner. It is a legal requirement for a dog to be wearing a collar and tag containing their owner's address and contact information โ it is part of responsible dog ownership. If the dog is wearing some ID with contact details, then get in touch with the owner straight away and arrange a place to meet them with the dog. We have some tips in the box below to make sure you stay safe as you return them.
CONTACT THE LOCAL
DOG WARDEN
If the dog is not wearing any ID, of if you can not safely get close to them to check, then you will need to contact the dog warden at your local authority. Contact them straight away and arrange for them to collect the dog. They will ensure the dog's microchip is scanned and make every effort to return the dog to their owner. Your local vets or rehoming organisations can not take strays directly off the street or from well-meaning members of the public except under certain emergency situations.
WANT TO KEEP
STREET DOG AT
YOUR HOME?
What if I want to look after the dog in my home, instead of contacting the dog warden? - If you cannot identify the owner yourself, and you decide to take the dog home temporarily, then by law, you must inform your local dog warden. The authorities can then take up responsibility for finding their owner. This is likely to be better for the dog and their owners for a number of reasons. They can deal directly with any owners who have lost their dog, and decide whether the description matches the dog they have. The local authority kennel will also be able to scan the dog's microchip to see if it has current registered owners. By keeping the dog, you could also become emotionally attached to them, then handing the dog back to the owner can be very traumatic.
If the owner reclaims the dog through the dog warden, this will enable the dog warden to discuss the responsibilities of dog ownership, give advice on identification and follow up the case if necessary. The loss of a dog often causes great distress to the owner. So it is best to hand the dog over to the dog warden as soon as possible. That will give the owner the greatest chance of being reunited with their much-loved companion.
WANT TO ADOPT
STREET DOG?
Even if you are keen to adopt the dog, you will have to contact the dog warden and wait the seven days period to see if their owner comes to collect them. The dog warden can then pass on your details to the kennels. If they feel you are suitable you will be expected to go through their normal adoption criteria for transfer of ownership if the owner is not found. If you keep the dog in your home, you must inform the dog warden. You are then obliged by law to keep the dog for a period of 28 days. After this period, you can keep the dog until such time that a person with proof of ownership claims them. This means that legal ownership is not transferred to you, and the original owner may demand the dog back at any time, no matter how long you have kept them or how much money you have spent, including any vet fees. As mentioned in the section above, it is best not to keep the dog in your home, to avoid getting emotionally attached to them.
STREET DOG
OWNER WAS FOUND?
Staying safe as you hand a stray dog back to their owner: If you have been able to identify the lost or stray dog's owner from their identification - like collar tag, and have contacted the owner to arrange to reunite them, please follow the steps below:
Pick a safe location When contacting the owner, consider an appropriate location to meet them. You may want to ask that they meet you to collect their dog in a public place.
Protect your personal details Do not give away any personal details to the owner if you are uncomfortable doing so. The important thing is that the owner knows where and when to collect their dog.
Ask a friend to join you If you have committed to reuniting the dog with owner at an agreed location but feel nervous about the handover, consider asking a friend to join you. Alternatively you could tell a friend or family member what you are doing, where you are going in advance and when you plan to get back.
Bring your phone Take your phone with you to the handover so that you can make contact with friends, family or the dog warden if you need to.
Trust your instincts If something about the reunion does not feel right then it is best for both you and the dog that you contact the local dog warden and so that they can take responsibility for the handover.
STAYING SAFE AROUND STREET DOGS This material proudly presented by WWW.FOURPAWSUSA.ORG
Depending on where you live, you might not see stray dogs on the streets very often or none at all. However, some of the most popular vacation spots in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe have large numbers of stray animals, and sadly little is done to address the issue or manage the population. Also, the local population is normally used to encountering strays but visitors who are not accustomed to stray animals need to be aware of the dos and don'ts for how to interact with them.
Many stray dogs are very friendly, especially in tourist areas, as they are used to human contact and often receive food and attention from people in the community. However, you may still encounter some that are less welcoming. These are usually dogs that have had little contact with humans or have had negative experiences with them, making them wary. If dogs are scared, they might try to defend themselves, their litter, their food, or their territory. You should consider this and avoid confrontation with dogs where you risk being attacked and / or bitten.
If a dog barks at you from a distance, it is a warning to stay away from their territory. If you remain calm, keep a safe distance, and walk past slowly, you are unlikely to encounter any problems. If in doubt, it is best to avoid any kind of confrontation. If a dog starts to chase you while you are jogging or riding a bicycle or motorbike, it is best not to speed up, as that could encourage the dog to chase you, putting both you and the animal at more risk of an accident or injury. The best response is either to stop and wait for the dog to move away or to continue moving very slowly. A dog is much less likely to chase you if you move slowly and stay calm.
TIPS FOR
YOUR SAFETY!
Never run away The most important point to remember is that you should never run away from a stray dog or any dog. Running away can trigger a dog's hunting behavior, which tells them to chase you. It is better to walk away slowly to avoid triggering that behavior. If you are on a bicycle or motorbike, slow to a halt and wait for the dog to leave.
Avoid confronting a pack Dogs are pack animals and tend to stay in groups, where they can protect each other. If you are out walking and spot a group of dogs, it is advisable not to go near. Dogs are territorial animals, and if they feel threatened, they could confront you. Be especially careful at night: in the dark you may not be able to see all the dogs around you. If you do happen to wander into a pack, stay calm and move away slowly. Do not make any sudden movements, shout or run. Keep your arms close to your body and avoid direct eye contact with the animals.
Avoid sending signals that dogs might perceive as a threat Dogs are very good at reading our body language. There are some types of human behavior that dogs find threatening. These include staring at them, yelling, waving arms about, leaning forwards and walking directly towards them. These are behaviors that will identify you as a threat. It is better to send calming signals.
Send calming signals If you meet a dog that you are unsure about, do not try to be threatening or show anger. Instead, send calming signals such as yawning or licking your own lips, avoiding eye contact and standing sideways to the dog. You can also try crouching down and letting them sniff you, if you feel comfortable doing this. It is important that the dog comes to you voluntarily and that you do not actively approach it.
Ask locals for help If you feel threatened by dogs in the street, you could try asking one or more locals for assistance. Many of the dogs will be regulars in the area and are likely to respond better to someone they know.
AS A LAST RESORT... While we strongly recommend keeping calm and behaving in a non-confrontational way, if you feel very threatened, you could crouch down and pretend to pick up a rock or stick. But do not actually throw anything at the dog! Sometimes, just pretending to pick something up can make a dog run away, unfortunately a sad reflection of the regular abuse that many stray dogs suffer at human hands.
WORST-CASE SCENARIO... If the worst-case scenario occurs and you are attacked by dogs, try to fend them off with a backpack or stick. If you end up on the ground, protect your head and vital organs. Lie down and curl up in a ball, using your arms to cover your head. Then try to keep still, even though this may be difficult. The dogs are more likely to lose interest in you quickly if you stay calm. Once the dogs have moved away, slowly get up and leave. Get yourself to a safe place and visit a hospital as soon as possible.
STREET DOG ADOPTION: THE FREE SPIRITS This material proudly presented by WWW.WECARE WORLDWIDE.ORG.UK and Soharni Tennekoon
Street or stray dogs embody resilience and independence, having survived and thrived in bustling streets and quiet alleys alike. They are not owned in the traditional senseโstreet dogs live life on their own terms, navigating the world with a resourcefulness that is ingrained in their very being. Their bond with humans is unique, formed not out of dependency but mutual respect and companionship. Street dogs are a testament to adaptability, loyalty, and the enduring spirit of survival.
CAN ROAMING DOG
ADAPT TO
HOME PET LIFE
If you have ever "owned" a street dog you will be familiar with their doe eyes, curly helicopter tails, no-nonsense short coats, Baby Yoda-esque ears and HUGE capacity for love. I use air-quotes here because, what does it mean to own a street dog? Can you truly ever own something that has, for generations, marched to the tune of their own drum? Where independence and resourcefulness is hardwired into them; where the inclination to roam is wound into their genetic makeup - where freedom is life? The thing about street dogs is they are domesticated, but self-bred. Naturally selected. Humans rarely have a hand in what character traits or physical attributes are passed down. The street dogs of today are vastly a product of generations of the most resourceful, most resilient, most adaptable. Do they need the streets to be who they are?
You can take a dog out of the street, but can you take the street out of the dog? Unlike wild animals, street dogs depend on humans for resources โ and revel in our company. Studies at IISERKOL India have shown that the majority of free-roaming dogs prefer human-dog over dog-dog interactions. We have coevolved for tens of thousands of years, making the human-dog bond a mighty special one. Dogs actively seek out human company โ that is why you might find a gregarious four-legged friend briefly accompanying you on a walk. Sociability is key to survival in humans and in dogs. It is a big decision, taking in a street dog, but is it ours to make? There is no way we can ever gauge; we can not just hand them a questionnaire. It is likely not a one size fits all kinda answer โ dogs are individuals with distinct personalities, likes and dislikes.
CHALLENGES OF OWNING
A STREET DOG
Many report that one of the biggest challenges of having an ex-street dog as a pet is meeting their high energy levels โ which makes sense considering stamina is crucial to surviving on the street. To say they enjoy long sunset walks is an understatement. Mouse, my second adoption, and a very odd fish, is built like an aerodynamic greyhound. Functions like one too, so long as she gets 45mins to walk, run, sprint, sniff, and pee on every lamppost, she is set for her daily exercise quota. Then it is back to Extreme Sleeping on the couch.
Interestingly, a Bangalore study showed that free-roaming dogs napped throughout the day with a few short bursts of roaming. Most of their activity and socialising occurred at night. Being highly adapted to their environment means they have figured out how to be energy efficient, swerve the hottest parts of the day, and avoid getting in the way of busy humans. So what does this say about their behaviour when taken off the streets and onto your couch? That they are adaptable, once their basic needs are met. A skill they have evolved living on the streets, on their wits.
HOW TO HELP STRAY DOGS? This material proudly presented by WWW.FOURPAWSUSA.ORG
Feeding stray dogs and other animals is very common in tourist areas, but it comes with several risks that you need to consider:
In many countries, feeding is prohibited by law, making you liable for prosecution.
Once fed, stray animals could then potentially follow tourists, causing them to leave their area and perhaps run the risk of being involved in territory fights or car accidents.
Feeding is also a danger for humans because they come into close contact with animals that can snap or become aggressive out of greed. Not forgetting the risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases that can be fatal, such as rabies
The next tourist might feel disturbed by the begging animal and call the "dog catchers". In the worst-case scenario, the dog is then taken to the local animal shelter, where the animal often has to spend the rest of its life or is killed
They can gain a dependence on humans through the feeding from tourists who are only available for a short period of time and mostly itยดs not appreciated by the local people. After the tourists leave, it is maybe harder for the animals to find food.
Stray animals will become more used to begging for food and this may cause upset, stress, fear among other tourists and locals
The quality of food could vary and perhaps cause injuries and illness (for example, cooked chicken bones, meat on sticks e.g.)
It is more helpful to contact local animal welfare organizations that already support stray animals in the community and, if possible, support them with volunteering or donations. These organizations can also help sterilize stray animals, set up feeding stations and generally support animals more effectively in the long term. If you see an animal in need of medical care, you should contact a veterinarian or local animal welfare organization.
CAUTION! Be aware that stray dogs are prone to health problems. Due to a lack of preventive medical care, many dogs will have fleas, ticks or other parasites. Sadly, some carry very serious diseases such as rabies and rabies can be passed on to humans, mainly through bites. If you are bitten by a dog, it is vital that you seek medical attention immediately. There are vaccines that can prevent you from becoming infected, but these need to be administered very soon after being bitten. Do not take any chances. Rabies is a deadly virus.
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