Dwarka: A few days back, a man was attacked by a stray dog during early morning hours in Dwarka's Sector 18B. He was gravely injured and the event was captured in the CCTV of the society. However, one detail in this episode was especially unusual that the dog was in fact not a stray breed but a German Shepherd.
As gathered by the residents, the dog had been wandering in the area and entered the society occasionally. A general conclusion from this incident is that once the care and comfort offered to a pet are suddenly taken away, the animal may turn dangerous.
Studies reveal that stray dogs exhibit a different behaviour from pet dogs and are largely guided by survival instincts. Sometimes, unfamiliar and scary surroundings after being lost or being abandoned may encourage dogs to be defensive and fearful. The fear may manifest as aggression, even when approached by a well-meaning stranger.
CitySpidey reached out to canine behavioral expert Mitali Parekh to find a few answers.
“The first question here is why the dog was abandoned in the first place. It was probably because the family did not want to live with it any longer or it may be because it started to bite. It may be possible that after being abandoned, in the struggle to hunt for food and shelter, and in fighting with other stray dogs, it turned violent,” said Ms Parekh.
She further explained that there can be a number of reasons dogs may bite. Sometimes, it may be because the dog is of a guarding breed and has not been taught to communicate without using the mouth. “When the dog is biting, it is communicating. Training of dogs involves a lot of patience on the part of the owner,” she said. Moreover, not enough information on a breed and keeping a pet in cramped spaces may cause it to become a biter.
There are a number of reasons why families are sometimes forced to part ways with their dogs. As gathered by her, the ideal way if you are considering letting go of your pet is to consult a canine behaviorist who is different from a trainer who will draw a clear picture of the options that can be taken. There are kennels and farmlands that would take care of the dog.”
Our conversation with Ms Parekh highlights a few important facts. Not every abandoned dog may be a threat to society. “A dog may be diseased, in which case, it would be a docile stray dog,” she said. However, lack of training, information or disease may cause the dog to be aggressive.
Whatever may be the reason, all owners must follow due course while bidding adieu with their dog. If the dog is showing signs of aggressive behaviour, it may be a recipe for an impending mishap to abandon the dog without due consultation with an expert.
