Survey Reveals 91% Indians Feel Safer With Strays

A​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ recent survey by the Esya Centre has revealed the fact that street dogs make people feel safer which is something that many Indians have been taking for granted all along. More than 91% of respondents expressed that they feel more secure when the dogs they know from their locality are present. For a lot of people, these dogs are not just homeless animals, they are the community’s children and a familiar aspect of ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌life.

Most Street Dogs Are Friendly, Not Aggressive

People of 10 different cities have described community dogs as caring and loving creatures. As much as 73.5% thought that they meet friendly dogs most of the time, and only 15% believed that strays are shy and don’t interact with people.

And the case of Nabadwip, Bengal, where a pack of street dogs kept a deserted baby safe during the whole night, is only one of several instances that make Indians remember and revere this trust in these animals. The bond these dogs have with humans is that they are utterly faithful.

ABC and Vaccination Programs Reduce Rabies Cases

This survey has also something positive to say: Animal Birth Control (ABC) along with vaccination initiatives in India are gradually turning things around. The number of deaths caused by rabies has decreased from 534 in 2004 to only 54 in 2024. There has been no case of human rabies which caused death in Delhi since 2022.

Experts say this success is because of kind, humane methods instead of killing dogs. Vaccination, sterilization, and proper care for both dogs and people have all helped reduce rabies cases.

How We Treat Dogs Shapes How They Treat Us

The report contains one of the most human points: dogs behave in the way that people treat them. When people are good to them giving food, gentle words, or simply patience dogs do not forget that. They become watchmen of lanes, preceptors of danger to residents, and characters of societal fabric.

Support for Dog Feeders Is Crucial

The report says the government must support the people who care for street dogs. These caregivers don’t just feed the dogs. They help catch them for sterilisation, check their health, and make sure the dogs return safely to their own areas.Their small, everyday efforts help keep neighbourhoods stable and peaceful. But many of these caregivers are still being harassed. The report says this needs to change, and better protection is urgently needed.

What Pet Parents Are Saying

Pet parents from different parts of the country, through their stories, have confirmed the survey’s results.

“The street dogs in my lane recognise every sound and every face. They alert us even before we sense something is wrong,” said Priya Menon, a mother of two from Mumbai.

“I feed the strays near my home every night. Over time, they’ve become like little guardians. I honestly feel safer walking back late because they follow me till my gate,” said Arjun Rao from Bengaluru.

“People think these dogs are dangerous. But they have stood by me through lonely nights, power cuts, and tough times,” shared Neha Bhatia, a foster parent from Delhi.

A Future Built on Kindness and Coexistence

Survey draws a very positive and encouraging picture of India's future with street dogs. India can have a relationship with them, that is safe, humane and full of compassion, if there is continuous ABC work, laws that are supportive and human behavior getting kinder. In such a situation, both communities and street dogs will be able to protect and support each other just like they are doing ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌now.