ogs are easily the most conspicuous of animals in the streets of Lahore. They are usually called street or stray dogs. But it is wrong to assume that they intruded on our (human) territory; in fact, it is us who built streets and constructed buildings on their habitat.

In the past couple of years, thanks to a rather inactive local administration, the population of stray dogs has increased manifold. Almost every mohalla and block now has packs of dogs wandering around. To most people they are an infestation that should be done away with at once. Well, they are partly justified in their view, as certain animals are likely to be carriers of rabies and, certainly, no one should have to suffer from dog-bite. However, a few people who have some knowledge do care for and feed them.

Before going into what measures could be taken to check stray dogs, let’s look at the animals’ behaviour and nature. Stray dogs seek only two things: food and affection. Once somebody feeds them it is the start of a new story of love and loyalty between the feeder and the fed. If you have fed a dog, rest assured that it will guard you for life.

Dogs crave affection. At any given time of the day, when you step out of your homes, they will lie down before you, lick your toes to get a pat on their head or a soft belly scratch. While walking in the streets, they will escort you like your bodyguard would. They are also known to chase the rider to the end of the street, a fact that bikers are familiar with.

Unfortunately, after donkeys, stray dogs are the most hated animals in Pakistan. Kids and elders won’t think twice before pelting these pitiable creatures with stones, even when the latter are just lying about harmlessly. Having said that, our aggression towards them could trigger them all right, and that is why they mostly bark at people and may even chase them around.

Our hostility towards stray dogs is not natural. Essentially, it’s a colonial perception that stray dogs are a filthy and dangerous breed, unworthy of adoption. 

Our hostility towards stray dogs is unnatural. Essentially, it’s a colonial perception that stray dogs are a filthy and dangerous breed, unworthy of adoption. As Chennai based researcher Pradeep Kuttuva says, the first recorded killing of dogs began in 1791 in Chennai (then Madras), sponsored and managed by the then colonial administration. They had offered rewards of one anna for one pariah dog’s dead body (name for desi kutta in the Indian subcontinent). Consequently, thousands of dogs and puppies were killed for rewards.

Such barbarous acts must have disrupted the ecological balance, a topic that merits a proper academic research. Back then, it did create uproar, especially among the Parsis protesting the killing of innocent animals in Bombay.

The Punjab, with a similar colonial experience, must have witnessed such large-scale killings of dogs because the colonisers did not want them in their surroundings.

It’s time the government ran public awareness campaigns about the behaviour of stray dogs as they have the right to live in this world just as all other living beings do.

To discourage the killings of animals, the Punjab government legislated punishing the killer with a fine of Rs 50,000 and three months’ imprisonment. Further, population control measures like neutering and setting up shelters for them should be implemented. Only this way their population can be controlled, and no life will be wasted. Until their population is managed, people should be taught about the animal’s body language, as dog keepers know well what their way of communication is.

The author is a Lahore based freelance writer. He tweets @UsamaAlee_