Pawsitive change: Call for safe spaces, compassion for strays

Time of India

20 hours ago

Guwahati: Recent debates across Indian cities, including Guwahati, have put street dogs under the spotlight. Are they loyal guardians of the lanes and by-lanes, or a growing urban menace? On Guwahati's streets, they remain a familiar yet divisive presence.
While speaking to city dwellers, TOI explored contrasting perspectives. As residents of Guwahati navigate the growing presence of street dogs, their experiences reflect both fear and compassion.
"I sometimes find them frightening. They often chase people on the road, but that doesn't mean all are dangerous. I love feeding them whenever I can," said Lotasha, a commuter waiting at the Khanapara bus stand.
Many described street dogs as animals without owners or shelters, surviving on leftovers.
Residents describe them differently, some see them as aggressive strays, others as protective companions, who flourish with care. Surojit Sinha from Borbari argued, not all street dogs are aggressive. "Some are peaceful and behave nicely when cared for. Many end up on the streets after owners abandon them."
Several residents believe abandonment is worsening the problem and cited it as a key reason for the growing population of stray dogs.
Many residents' point to sterilization and shelter as urgent needs. "They protect us, bring joy," said Satarupa Debnath from Lal-Ganesh, who owns a golden retriever.
While talking to the people in the streets, many drew a comparison to pets. People mentioned that, pet dogs are usually bred under controlled conditions; they're vaccinated, groomed and trained from a young age. Street dogs, on the other hand, are born and raised on the roads, exposed to harsh conditions and diseases.
That makes them somewhat unpredictable in behavior compared to pets, which are raised in a safe environment.
Students and professionals also flagged the lack of sterilization as a major concern.
Mridumani Deka, owner of a pet clinic at Hengrabari said, "Street dogs usually don't attack unless provoked. Often, honking vehicles or people chasing them triggers their reaction. Puppies sometimes may bite playfully while being fed, because they don't know better, not because they are being mean.
They survive on waste because few people feed them, and like any living beings, they defend themselves."
While talking to the people in the streets, many drew a comparison to pets. Shine Sherif from Sixth Mile said, "I think street dogs are very love hungry, at least from what I have noticed. They like it when you pet them, they approach you sometimes, and they know how to act cutesy to get food. Sometimes they might follow you, but I think the key is to not have eye contact with them.
As long as you don't make them feel threatened, you are good to go.
"
Across the city, views remain divided. While some call street dogs protectors of their lanes, others see them as a safety threat. One theme resonates: street dogs are not just an urban challenge but a shared responsibility. What emerges is a picture of coexistence mixed with conflict, where compassion clashes with concern.
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