Stray dogs and urban ecosystems
Stray dogs are part of urban eco systems, which are uniquely balanced. Human activity and intervention is responsible for their presence. Urban landscapes which offer food sources (think open garbage) attract not only dogs, but cats, rodents and birds.
While the challenges faced from a stray dog population are not to be ignored, the reason for their presence must be studied. The Indian Pariah Dog is often called a stray, in fact, any dog which is ownerless is a stray. Rampant pet ownership and breeding have contributed significantly to an increase in dog populations.
Community dogs
Community dogs are beloved and hated in equal measure. developing nations often deal with a greater number of stray dogs and cats. Dogs with their trusting and friendly nature often interact more with humans than cats. Which means they are more visible as well as easier targets. Urban sprawl and encroachment into jungles, wetlands, coastal areas mean settlement and street dogs are often left behind by temporary and migrant workers. There is no single person/entity to blame and the problem can only be solved via dialogue and constructive measures.
What are world class cities?
World class cities, luxury and 'the best life' are marketing slogans. The world travelled digital nomad, ‘expat’ life are fuelling unrealistic expectations in huge sections of easily manipulated people. They believe life can be “all sunshine and beaches” when often the reality behind that is a local person or animal group has been marginalised to make way for an "Instagram worthy and digital creator" lifestyle.
What is your legacy?
Your children, nieces, nephews, godchildren .... learn from observation. So, we cannot teach them kindness and acceptance in perfectly curated classrooms, while visiting the horrors of confinement and brutality on urban dogs.
Children internalise emotions and these manifest as actions as adolescents and adults.
The angry adult you experience today was most likely the quiet observant child of yesterday.
Note: This blog is an opinion and does not purport to offer solutions. But we do firmly believe that dialogue and a consideration of arguments on both sides of the aisle are necessary. Violence toward any person or animal is never acceptable in a civilised society.
