A new study by the Delhi-based think tank Esya Centre is challenging long-held assumptions about street dogs in India. According to their findings, a majority of urban residents not only feel safe around community dogs but also value their presence in neighbourhoods.
The study, based on 1,063 respondents across 10 cities, comes at a crucial time. During a Supreme Court hearing earlier this year, the need for reliable data on dog bites and free-ranging dog populations was highlighted. The report attempts to fill this gap with empirical evidence rather than anecdotal claims.
Street Dogs Are Mostly Friendly, Says Report
The research, led by Meghna Bal and Aaqib Qayoom, reveals that most free-ranging dogs in India are not aggressive. When respondents were asked to describe the behaviour of dogs in their area:
- 73.5% said the dogs were friendly
- 15% described them as timid
- Only 10.8% found them aggressive
The report also highlights a decline in rabies-related deaths in India from 534 in 2004 to just 54 in 2024, a remarkable 90% drop. Between 2022 and 2025, there were 126 recorded deaths nationwide.
The study found that 74% of dog feeders consider feeding street dogs a part of their religious or cultural practice. Indian mythology and history reflect a long-standing bond between humans and dogs, from the Mahabharata to deities associated with canine companions.
This cultural link shapes public attitudes toward community dogs.
Street Dogs Help Communities Feel Safer
One of the most striking findings is the sense of security people feel due to the presence of street dogs. According to the report:
- 91.4% said community dogs help deter crime
- 52.21% felt that their presence makes women and children safer
- 96% reported feeling “very safe” in their neighbourhood because of the dogs
- Nearly 52% said dogs help control rats and even keep monkeys away
The study suggests that dogs and humans have a mutual relationship. Kind treatment from people leads to predictable, approachable dog behaviour, reducing conflict.
While issues such as uneven dog populations, bites, and occasional conflicts do arise, the report emphasises that these are largely municipal challenges, not problems caused by the dogs themselves.
It points to gaps in:
- Waste management
- Urban planning
- Sterilisation and vaccination programs
These systemic issues create conditions for conflict.
Instead of removal or relocation, strategies that have repeatedly failed, the study recommends:
- Better reporting methods for dog-bite cases
- Adding a field to note whether the dog was a pet or free-ranging
- Stronger sterilisation and vaccination under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules
- Community participation through recognised feeders or “lokyutas”
- Ensuring sterilised dogs are returned to the same locality
The research calls for a more compassionate, data-driven approach that benefits both people and animals.
As India debates the future of its community dogs, this study brings much-needed clarity: most street dogs pose no threat, many strengthen community safety, and the real solutions lie in better civic systems, not in removing animals from the streets.