<p>Officials in China have launched a crackdown against stray dogs a week after video of a dog mauling a two-year-old girl created an outrage on Chinese social media. But the drive is attracting criticism after officials were seen to be overreaching during the crackdown. There are also reports of officials rounding up stray dogs and killing them.</p>

<p>The footage of the dog attack that sparked the crackdown shows a rottweiler attacking the two-year-old who eventually suffered fractured ribs, lacerations and a ruptured kidney.</p>

<p>The video shows the mother of the child trying to save her daughter by putting her between the dog and the girl. But the dog goes around the woman and attacked the little girl. As the mother frantically tries to save the girl, onlookers rush to help the duo and eventually the dog is shooed away. BBC reported that owner of the dog has been arrested.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars</strong></p>

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<p>Some may justify crackdown on stray dogs after such a disturbing video but now stories are emerging of how officials are being a bit too assertive about the crackdown. The stories are being shared on Weibo, the popular social media platform in China.</p>

<p>A security guard and a landlord reportedly entered an office in one case without permission of the tenant and killed both of their dogs.</p>

<p>In another case, a university said it sacked a security guard after he brutally killed a dog on campus.</p>

<p>Another video has disturbed netizens in China. In this video, a small dog in a university in Chongqing can be seen captured in a net by a dog catcher before being killed.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/evidence-of-life-on-mars-hiding-in-ancient-mud-lake-research-suggests-so-649647">Evidence of life on Mars hiding in ancient mud lake? Research suggests so</a></strong></p>

<p>Now even celebrities in China have joined the discussion online and some of them have reportedly opined that the crackdown in different parts of the country is too great in proportion even when the initial attack is taken into consideration.</p>

<p>BBC has cited 2021 China Pet Industry White Paper to say that there are some 40 million stray dogs in China.</p>

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Officials in China have launched a crackdown against stray dogs a week after video of a dog mauling a two-year-old girl created an outrage on Chinese social media.

Officials in China have launched a crackdown against stray dogs a week after video of a dog mauling a two-year-old girl created an outrage on Chinese social media. But the drive is attracting criticism after officials were seen to be overreaching during the crackdown. There are also reports of officials rounding up stray dogs and killing them. The footage of the dog attack that sparked the crackdown shows a rottweiler attacking the two-year-old who eventually suffered fractured ribs, lacerations and a ruptured kidney. The video shows the mother of the child trying to save her daughter by putting her between the dog and the girl. But the dog goes around the woman and attacked the little girl. As the mother frantically tries to save the girl, onlookers rush to help the duo and eventually the dog is shooed away. BBC reported that owner of the dog has been arrested. Watch | Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars × Some may justify crackdown on stray dogs after such a disturbing video but now stories are emerging of how officials are being a bit too assertive about the crackdown. The stories are being shared on Weibo, the popular social media platform in China. A security guard and a landlord reportedly entered an office in one case without permission of the tenant and killed both of their dogs. In another case, a university said it sacked a security guard after he brutally killed a dog on campus. Another video has disturbed netizens in China. In this video, a small dog in a university in Chongqing can be seen captured in a net by a dog catcher before being killed. Also Read | Evidence of life on Mars hiding in ancient mud lake? Research suggests so Now even celebrities in China have joined the discussion online and some of them have reportedly opined that the crackdown in different parts of the country is too great in proportion even when the initial attack is taken into consideration. BBC has cited 2021 China Pet Industry White Paper to say that there are some 40 million stray dogs in China. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

China: Dog attack on toddler sparks crackdown on strays, backlash follows

<p>A seven-year-old boy was attacked and killed by stray dogs in Telangana’s Hanamkonda district on May 18. The incident took place near a children's park in Kazipet's Railway Colony. The boy tried to run but fell down when the dogs violently attacked and killed him on the spot.</p>

<p>Recent events, like the grisly death of two siblings in Delhi's Vasant Kunj after being attacked by stray dogs in March, the mauling of a 4-year-old in Hyderabad and the killing of a sleeping baby in a Rajasthan hospital by a stray dog in February, have sparked discussions on how to control strays.</p>

<p>But the question arises, who is at fault? Is it the government, the locals or the natural behavioural patterns of dogs?</p>

<p>Beyond these arguments, it's important to comprehend the limitations and intricacies of India's dog problem.</p>

<h2><strong>How big is the stray dog problem in India?</strong></h2>

<p>India reported nearly 16 million cases of stray dog bites between 2019 and 2022 (parliament data till November 2022), an average of over 10,000 cases daily.</p>

<p>The National Rabies Control Program reported 6,644 clinically suspected cases and deaths of human rabies between 2012 and 2022.</p>

<p>Between January-October 2022, Kerala and Punjab reported over 10,000 cases of dog bites each, while Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Kashmir reported between 1,000-10,000 cases.</p>

<p>According to the National Crime Records Bureau, there were 4,146 reported cases of dog bites leading to human deaths in India in 2019.</p>

<h2><strong>How can you identify such dogs and what is the behavioural pattern?</strong></h2>

<p>According to a report by The Lancet, concerns have been raised about the mismanagement of street dogs in terms of disruption in vaccination and birth control activities during the COVID-19 lockdown. In India, an increase in aggression among dogs has been observed post-pandemic, probably resulting from food shortages, abandonment of pets, and a decrease in human–dog interaction.</p>

<div>
<p>To answer this question, Prateek Kashyap, a dog behaviour specialist and trainer at KIGA- The Puppy Kindergarten explains:&nbsp;“Feeding the street dogs every day makes them insecure, protective and aware of their territory and space, which they try to protect from other dogs and people."</p>

<p>"Hence, they have a tendency to bite. If you want to take care of a dog, one needs to be careful because it’s not stray anymore, it's semi-domesticated.”</p>

<h2><strong>Is feeding dogs a good practice?</strong></h2>

<p>As per the expert, feeding dogs is not the problem but feeding them at the same place is. By doing this they become aware of their territories and might chase anyone who passes or tries to hamper it.</p>

<p>“If you are feeding them in one area, they guard that area and it becomes a repetitive habit for them but if you feed them at different places, this might reduce the number of attacks as they become less territorial,” Kashyap said.</p>

<h2><strong>Are children most vulnerable in such cases?</strong></h2>

<p>Children are indeed the most at risk in these situations. Dogs can be affected and activated,</p>

<p>According to Kashyap, by high-pitched noise and sounds. Children frequently use this pitch when they play and laugh in their individual spaces. Another claim is that dogs are pattern-spotters and that they can detect odd patterns in individuals who are dressed oddly or shabbily. They can tell whether such people are locals or not just by looking at them, according to the expert.</p>

<h2><strong>Is the government doing enough to combat this problem?</strong></h2>

<p>The municipal entities are in charge of sterilising and immunising stray dogs in accordance with the Animal Birth Manage (Dogs) Rules, 2001 to manage their number.</p>

<p>To understand the issue WION spoke to Dr Pramod Kumar, Medical Superintendent (Veterinary hospital, Moti Bagh) to which he said, “ Animal feeders should also be mindful that feeding stray dogs should not become a problem to others. We initiate and process sterilisation and vaccination drives, for which we have managed to vaccinate and sterilise most of the street dogs but</p>

<p>Sometimes it becomes difficult even for the local authorities to work properly, as some animal</p>
</div>

<p>Feeders don’t let this happen. But they fail to understand that by not doing this this might escalate the problem. If you're feeding them then you should also ensure that the dogs are vaccinated.”</p>

<h2><strong>How can one recognise and avoid such situations?</strong></h2>

<p>According to Dr Pamod Kumar and Prateek Kashyap, societies should organise seminars and programmes where they can invite qualified dog trainers and educate people about such behaviours as a way to prevent such circumstances and incidents.</p>

<p>When a dog tries to attack and advances towards you while you are moving forward, that is when the dog is most vulnerable and likely to bite you. This is one of the most popular ways to tell if a dog will bite or not. On the other hand, if you move forward and the dog steps back, there is considerably less possibility of a bite, and it is generally believed that the dog is acting hostile.</p>

<p>Additionally, the societies must guarantee that 70 per cent&nbsp;of the dogs in their area have had the recommended vaccinations.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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A seven-year-old boy was attacked and killed by stray dogs in Telangana’s Hanamkonda district on May 18. The incident took place near a children's park in Kazipet's Railway Colony.

A seven-year-old boy was attacked and killed by stray dogs in Telangana’s Hanamkonda district on May 18. The incident took place near a children's park in Kazipet's Railway Colony. The boy tried to run but fell down when the dogs violently attacked and killed him on the spot. Recent events, like the grisly death of two siblings in Delhi's Vasant Kunj after being attacked by stray dogs in March, the mauling of a 4-year-old in Hyderabad and the killing of a sleeping baby in a Rajasthan hospital by a stray dog in February, have sparked discussions on how to control strays. But the question arises, who is at fault? Is it the government, the locals or the natural behavioural patterns of dogs? Beyond these arguments, it's important to comprehend the limitations and intricacies of India's dog problem. How big is the stray dog problem in India? India reported nearly 16 million cases of stray dog bites between 2019 and 2022 (parliament data till November 2022), an average of over 10,000 cases daily. The National Rabies Control Program reported 6,644 clinically suspected cases and deaths of human rabies between 2012 and 2022. Between January-October 2022, Kerala and Punjab reported over 10,000 cases of dog bites each, while Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Kashmir reported between 1,000-10,000 cases. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, there were 4,146 reported cases of dog bites leading to human deaths in India in 2019. How can you identify such dogs and what is the behavioural pattern? According to a report by The Lancet, concerns have been raised about the mismanagement of street dogs in terms of disruption in vaccination and birth control activities during the COVID-19 lockdown. In India, an increase in aggression among dogs has been observed post-pandemic, probably resulting from food shortages, abandonment of pets, and a decrease in human–dog interaction. To answer this question, Prateek Kashyap, a dog behaviour specialist and trainer at KIGA- The Puppy Kindergarten explains: “Feeding the street dogs every day makes them insecure, protective and aware of their territory and space, which they try to protect from other dogs and people." "Hence, they have a tendency to bite. If you want to take care of a dog, one needs to be careful because it’s not stray anymore, it's semi-domesticated.” Is feeding dogs a good practice? As per the expert, feeding dogs is not the problem but feeding them at the same place is. By doing this they become aware of their territories and might chase anyone who passes or tries to hamper it. “If you are feeding them in one area, they guard that area and it becomes a repetitive habit for them but if you feed them at different places, this might reduce the number of attacks as they become less territorial,” Kashyap said. Are children most vulnerable in such cases? Children are indeed the most at risk in these situations. Dogs can be affected and activated, According to Kashyap, by high-pitched noise and sounds. Children frequently use this pitch when they play and laugh in their individual spaces. Another claim is that dogs are pattern-spotters and that they can detect odd patterns in individuals who are dressed oddly or shabbily. They can tell whether such people are locals or not just by looking at them, according to the expert. Is the government doing enough to combat this problem? The municipal entities are in charge of sterilising and immunising stray dogs in accordance with the Animal Birth Manage (Dogs) Rules, 2001 to manage their number. To understand the issue WION spoke to Dr Pramod Kumar, Medical Superintendent (Veterinary hospital, Moti Bagh) to which he said, “ Animal feeders should also be mindful that feeding stray dogs should not become a problem to others. We initiate and process sterilisation and vaccination drives, for which we have managed to vaccinate and sterilise most of the street dogs but Sometimes it becomes difficult even for the local authorities to work properly, as some animal Feeders don’t let this happen. But they fail to understand that by not doing this this might escalate the problem. If you're feeding them then you should also ensure that the dogs are vaccinated.” How can one recognise and avoid such situations? According to Dr Pamod Kumar and Prateek Kashyap, societies should organise seminars and programmes where they can invite qualified dog trainers and educate people about such behaviours as a way to prevent such circumstances and incidents. When a dog tries to attack and advances towards you while you are moving forward, that is when the dog is most vulnerable and likely to bite you. This is one of the most popular ways to tell if a dog will bite or not. On the other hand, if you move forward and the dog steps back, there is considerably less possibility of a bite, and it is generally believed that the dog is acting hostile. Additionally, the societies must guarantee that 70 per cent of the dogs in their area have had the recommended vaccinations. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India and its stray dogs: A never ending tussle between dog-lovers and dog-haters

<p>&quot;Stray dogs have a right to live,&quot; was how India&#39;s top court reacted sharply today when a submission was made that such canines should be completely destroyed across the country.</p>

<p>A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and R Banumathi observed that though culling of stray dogs was permissible, there has to be a balance and a proper method for this.</p>

<p>When one of the petitioners told the apex court that he wanted to &quot;totally destroy&quot; stray dogs across India, the bench said &quot;nobody can destroy stray dogs in entirety. They also have a right to live&quot;.</p>

<p>Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Pinky Anand concurred with the observations of apex court and said that stray dogs have a right to live and there has to be a balance.</p>

<p>The apex court has been hearing a batch of petitions on issues relating to orders passed by various civic bodies on culling of stray dogs which have become a menace, especially in Kerala and Mumbai.</p>

<p>During the hearing, the bench said in Kerala, there were issues of human concern but for this all stray dogs cannot be killed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;A person can die due to dog bite. It is an accident and for that, we cannot say kill all the stray dogs,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>The bench was also informed that a panel headed by former Kerala High Court judge Sri Jagan had received around 400 matters related to dog bites and it was working on it. The panel was set up by the apex court to inquire into incidents in which people and even children killed stray dogs and these acts were supported by several vigilante groups in Kerala.</p>

<p>&quot;The panel has received around 400 applications out of which 24 have been settled. The committee is working on it,&quot; one of the counsel told the bench, which listed the matter for further hearing on March one.</p>

<p>When an advocate told the court that people have died due to dog bites in Kerala and children were unable to go to school due to this menace, the bench said &quot;just because there are some stray dogs in a field or a school, they cannot be killed&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;They (stray dogs) have to be taken to shelter homes ....If there is no way out, they have to be culled and not killed. But there has to be a method for it,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>To this, one of the petitioners said he would construct shelter homes for dogs in his area in Kerala but the apex court asked him to submit a concrete proposal and prepare a road map.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


The top court reacted to the petitioner saying that 'nobody can destroy stray dogs in entirety. They also have a right to live'

"Stray dogs have a right to live," was how India's top court reacted sharply today when a submission was made that such canines should be completely destroyed across the country. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and R Banumathi observed that though culling of stray dogs was permissible, there has to be a balance and a proper method for this. When one of the petitioners told the apex court that he wanted to "totally destroy" stray dogs across India, the bench said "nobody can destroy stray dogs in entirety. They also have a right to live". Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Pinky Anand concurred with the observations of apex court and said that stray dogs have a right to live and there has to be a balance. The apex court has been hearing a batch of petitions on issues relating to orders passed by various civic bodies on culling of stray dogs which have become a menace, especially in Kerala and Mumbai. During the hearing, the bench said in Kerala, there were issues of human concern but for this all stray dogs cannot be killed. "A person can die due to dog bite. It is an accident and for that, we cannot say kill all the stray dogs," it said. The bench was also informed that a panel headed by former Kerala High Court judge Sri Jagan had received around 400 matters related to dog bites and it was working on it. The panel was set up by the apex court to inquire into incidents in which people and even children killed stray dogs and these acts were supported by several vigilante groups in Kerala. "The panel has received around 400 applications out of which 24 have been settled. The committee is working on it," one of the counsel told the bench, which listed the matter for further hearing on March one. When an advocate told the court that people have died due to dog bites in Kerala and children were unable to go to school due to this menace, the bench said "just because there are some stray dogs in a field or a school, they cannot be killed". "They (stray dogs) have to be taken to shelter homes ....If there is no way out, they have to be culled and not killed. But there has to be a method for it," it said. To this, one of the petitioners said he would construct shelter homes for dogs in his area in Kerala but the apex court asked him to submit a concrete proposal and prepare a road map. (PTI)

India's top court: Stray dogs also have a right to live