Human Rights in New Era of Dog Love

Sharing rotis with cows, dogs, or birds before you eat yours is a principle that many Indians follow. Living harmoniously with animals naturally comes with defined boundaries. They do not enter your house, and you take care of their basic food needs.

- ANURADHA GOYAL

However, in the last 2-3 decades, the way we live has dramatically changed. We no longer have houses with lawns and boundary walls. Most of us live in dense urban pockets with small common areas. These lead to conflicts, including defining the boundary beyond which animals become a safety threat and bring down the health and hygiene standards. Children need these common spaces to play, adults including the elderly and disabled to walk, and the community to hold common events.

Stray dogs in these areas are bound to raise safety and health risks. Most communities have a policy requiring pet owners to bring out their dogs on leash. But stray dogs run around and defecate anywhere and can bite even when unprovoked. Add to this the fact that human activities are now round-the-clock in urban areas, unlike rural areas where outdoor activities are limited at night.