Stray Dogs: Menace or guardians?

Walk through any street in North India and you're sure to spot them: stray dogs. Some wag their tails at passers-by, while others bark fiercely - leaving people divided. Are they protectors of our lanes, or a growing threat?

For many, strays are loyal companions. They guard colonies, chase away intruders and often form affectionate bonds with families who feed them. Animal lovers argue dogs too deserve dignity and care. They remind us sterilisation and vaccination are the only humane solutions - not cruelty or culling. After all, it's not the dogs' fault they were born on the streets.

But the other side of the story is hard to ignore. Increasing cases of dog bites, sometimes fatal, have created fear, especially among children and the elderly. Imagine walking home at dusk, only to be surrounded by a pack of barking dogs - it's enough to make anyone nervous.

Some argue random feeding without responsibility only adds to the problem, as dog populations grow faster than sterilisation drives. For them, public safety must come first.

So, what's the answer? Perhaps balance. Cities need stronger sterilisation and vaccination programmes, better waste management to reduce open food sources, and awareness campaigns about how to behave around strays. If citizens, authorities and animal welfare groups work together, we can ensure safe streets while still showing compassion.

The stray dog dilemma isn't a battle between humans and dogs - it is a test of how we learn to coexist.

The writer is a Class XII student at Gurukul Global School, Chandigarh