The Uproar over Dogs
by Nitya
Of late, there’s been a lot of hullabaloo about dogs- pets and strays alike, owing to a few dog biting incidents that surfaced in the recent past. People who are not fond of dogs are grabbing any chance they can get to instill fear and covertly insinuate those around them to speak up against man’s best friend, lest they become the ‘next’ unsuspecting target of the razor sharp canines of a dog gone cuckoo.
Stray dogs know that their survival is dependent on humans. They cannot afford to run amok and bite people because that would endanger their chances of scoring their next meal. In a place like Noida that is abound with stray dog lovers, the chance of a stray dog going bonkers and ripping the flesh off of a random human being is very rare. Most stray dogs here are, in fact, extremely friendly. A lot of them are well fed, sterilized and vaccinated.
Not all pets are aggressive either. A lot of them are so friendly, that they don’t even bark when someone rings the doorbell of their house! However, some pets are aggressive, either owing to their breed’s instinctive tendencies or lack of proper and timely behavioral training by their human companion. I’d like to humbly request the owners of such pets to be considerate towards the sentiments of people who do not like dogs or are scared of them. If your dog has aggressive tendencies, please do not leave him/her off leash or unattended in public places such as parks, elevators etc. where they could go on a rampage. Schedule your dog’s walks at a time when there are fewer people around. If need be, muzzle your dog before taking him/her outside the house. Be proactive and warn those around you beforehand to maintain safe distance from your dog, so as to avoid any untoward incidents.
The fate of pet dogs and stray dogs is dependent on the attitude of their respective pet parents and caretakers. Callousness on your part could seriously threaten their very existence. Be a more responsible citizen and do not sacrifice a dog’s well-being on the altar of your ego.
