Staying Safe Around Street Dogs: Tips for Tourists and Locals

An infographic image showing a boy standing near strange dogs in Varanasi

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Arun’s Journey: Staying Safe Around Street Dogs

Arun, a curious twelve-year-old from Mumbai, had always dreamed of exploring India. On his journey to Varanasi, he wandered the vibrant streets along the Ganges. Colorful markets, fragrant food, and temple bells filled the air—but so did the sight of stray dogs roaming freely.  

One afternoon, while exploring a narrow alley, Arun noticed a pack of street dogs watching him cautiously. Remembering safety tips, he kept calm, walked slowly, and avoided direct eye contact. The dogs barked, but he remained composed, sending calming signals by yawning and standing sideways.  

A smaller, timid dog approached. Arun crouched down, letting it sniff his hand. The dog wagged its tail and walked away peacefully. Later, he asked a local vendor for advice, learning which areas were safer and how to respect the dogs’ territorial behaviour.   

That evening, Arun visited a nearby animal welfare organisation, volunteering to help feed and care for the stray animals safely. He realized that understanding dog behaviour, avoiding confrontation, and supporting long-term animal welfare could make the streets safer for both humans and animals. 

From that day, Arun returned home with not just memories but a newfound respect for street dogs, their instincts, and the importance of safety and empathy.

Infographic with clipart dogs - Staying Safe Around Street Dogs: Tips for Tourists and Locals

Tips for Tourists and Locals About Street Dogs

Encountering stray dogs or street dogs can be a common experience, especially in tourist areas in Southeast Asia or Eastern Europe. While many stray dogs are friendly due to frequent human contact, some may show territorial behaviour or defensive instincts. Understanding how to interact safely and responsibly is key to preventing injuries and ensuring both human and animal safety.

1. Understanding Street Dog Behaviour

Many street dogs live in groups, as they are pack animals. These animals can protect each other and may become aggressive if they perceive a threat. Their reactions are often influenced by past experiences with humans. To avoid escalating tension, it’s important to avoid confrontation, keep calm, and walk slowly past the animals. Direct eye contact or sudden movements can be interpreted as threatening, triggering defensive behaviour.

2. Practical Safety Tips Around Street Dogs

When you encounter street dogs, never run away. Do not run, as it can trigger the dog’s hunting instinct and lead to chasing or biting. If a dog barks from a distance, stop and wait, or move away slowly. If a dog approaches, try crouching down and using calming signals, such as yawning, avoiding eye contact, or standing sideways to the animal.

3. Seeking Assistance

If you feel unsafe, consider asking locals for help, as some dogs may be familiar with community members. In the worst-case scenario, if attacked, use a backpack or stick to fend the dog off and protect vital organs. If you end up on the ground, lie down and curl up to minimize injury and stay as calm as possible. Once the dogs have moved away, slowly leave the area and seek medical attention immediately.

4. Risks of Feeding Street Dogs

While feeding stray dogs is common in tourist areas, it comes with significant risks. Feeding can encourage dependence on humans, increase aggression, and may expose you to zoonotic diseases such as rabies. Additionally, feeding may cause territorial disputes, accidents, or upset among other tourists and locals. In some countries, feeding stray animals is prohibited by law, which could make you liable for prosecution.

5. Helping Street Dogs Safely

If you want to support stray dogs safely, consider contacting animal welfare organisations or a veterinarian. These groups can provide sterilisation, set up feeding stations, and offer long-term support. Volunteering, donating, or reporting animals in need of care is far more effective than direct feeding, as it ensures the animals’ well-being while reducing risks for humans.

Table: Types of Street Dogs - Precautions

Here is a table showing different street dogs and precautionary measures to avoid bad experience

Type of Street Dog	Precaution
Friendly stray dog	Approach slowly, avoid sudden moves
Aggressive barking dog	Stay calm, avoid eye contact
Dog guarding territory	Keep distance, move away slowly
Pack of street dogs	Never enter pack, change route
Injured stray dog	Do not touch, call help
Timid or shy dog	Allow sniffing, avoid loud sounds
Dog chasing bicycle	Slow down, stop if needed
Night roaming dogs	Stay alert, avoid dark areas
Hungry begging dog	Do not feed, call NGOs
Rabid suspect dog	Stay away, report immediately

What to Do If a Street Dog Scratches or Bites?

If a street dog scratches or bites you, it’s important to act quickly and safely to prevent infection or disease:

1. Stay calm and move to safety – Avoid panicking; leave the area to prevent further bites.

2. Wash the wound immediately – Use soap and running water for at least 15–20 minutes to remove dirt and saliva.

3. Apply antiseptic – Use an antiseptic solution or cream to prevent bacterial infection.

4. Control bleeding – Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth if the wound is bleeding.

5. Seek medical attention – Even small scratches or bites can transmit diseases like rabies. A doctor may recommend tetanus or rabies vaccination.

6. Report the incident – Inform local authorities or an animal control organization, especially if the dog is aggressive or shows unusual behavior.

7. Monitor for infection – Watch for swelling, redness, pus, or fever, and return to a doctor if symptoms appear.

Key point: Rabies can be fatal if untreated, so do not ignore any bite or scratch from a street dog, no matter how minor it seems.

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Street Dogs

1. Why are there so many street dogs?

Urban areas offer abundant food and shelter, leading to increased stray populations. Lack of sterilization and vaccination programs further exacerbates the issue. 

2. How can I stay safe around street dogs?

Avoid sudden movements, direct eye contact, and loud noises. Maintain a calm demeanor, and slowly back away if a dog seems aggressive. 

3. What should I do if I find a street dog?

Check for identification tags or a microchip. If unclaimed, contact local animal control or a rescue organization to ensure the dog receives proper care. 

4. Is feeding street dogs advisable?

Feeding can attract more strays and may lead to dependency. It's better to support sterilization and vaccination programs to manage the population responsibly. 

5. Can street dogs be adopted?

Yes, many street dogs are adoptable. Ensure they are sterilized, vaccinated, and assessed for temperament before adoption to ensure a safe integration into a new home. 

Infographic image - 6 steps to befriend a dog

6. How do street dogs communicate?

Street dogs use body language, vocalizations, and facial expressions to communicate. Understanding these cues can help in assessing their mood and intentions. 

7. What diseases can street dogs transmit?

Street dogs can carry diseases like rabies, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. It's crucial to avoid contact and ensure pets are vaccinated. 

8. How can I help street dogs?

Support local animal welfare organizations through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness. Participating in sterilization and vaccination drives can also make a significant impact. 

9. Why do street dogs bark at night?

Barking can be a response to territorial instincts, mating behaviors, or alerting to potential threats. It's common among free-ranging dogs in urban areas. 

10. What are the risks of street dog bites?

Bites can lead to infections and transmission of diseases like rabies. Immediate medical attention and post-exposure prophylaxis are essential after a bite.

Ahmedabad dog-lover police inspector dies of rabies

Ahmedabad dog-lover police inspector dies of rabies after being scratched by a pet dogA wave of sorrow swept through Ahmedabad Police as news emerged of the untimely passing of Inspector Vanrajsinh Manjariya, a 50-year-old officer admired for both his dedication to duty and his love for animals. Despite having no recent history of an animal bite, he developed sudden symptoms that baffled doctors. He was admitted with a high-grade fever, followed by hydrophobia (fear of water) and aerophobia (fear of air)—classic signs often linked to rabies. His condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to multiple organ failure and cardiac arrest.Medical experts have sent his clinical samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, for confirmation of suspected rabies. The case has raised concern in the medical community, as rabies without a clear exposure history is rare and requires careful investigation. Colleagues remember Inspector Manjariya not only as a fearless and efficient officer but also as a gentle soul who adored dogs. His compassion extended beyond his work, inspiring many in the force. His sudden death serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of infectious diseases and highlights the importance of awareness, vaccination, and early medical attention. His memory lives on through the respect and love of those who knew him.

Watch a Short Video: Top 10 Features of Faithful Dogs

Understanding Rabies
• Incubation Period: Symptoms usually appear a few days after exposure, but in some cases, they may take weeks to over a month.
• Transmission: While animal bites are the most common cause, rabies can also spread if the saliva of an infected animal enters the bloodstream through an open wound.
• Precautions: Avoid direct contact with wild animals and never feed them by hand. Ensure all pets are regularly vaccinated.
• Post-Exposure Care: After any suspected bite or scratch, the wound should be washed thoroughly with soap and an antiseptic, followed by immediate medical care.
• Preventive Measures: People who frequently handle stray animals or work in animal-related professions may take preventive anti-rabies vaccinations. However, routine vaccination is not necessary for everyone.

• Human-to-Human Transmission: Extremely rare, making animal-to-human transmission the primary concern.

Conclusion

Encountering street dogs requires awareness, calmness, and respect for their natural territorial behaviour. Avoid confrontation, use calming signals, and rely on locals or authorities for help when needed. Supporting animal welfare organisations is safer than feeding and helps maintain the health and safety of both humans and stray animals in tourist areas.

Online Courses, Reference Books, & Websites

Refer to the following sources for additional information about Staying Safe Around Street Dogs and Tips for Tourists and Locals

Category	Resources
Online Courses	Pet Safety Awareness Programs Dog Behaviour Management Basics Street Dog Safety Training
Reference Books	"Dog Sense" by John Bradshaw "Inside of a Dog" by Alexandra Horowitz "The Other End of the Leash"
Websites	World Animal Protection PETA India Blue Cross of India