Understanding Stray Dogs: Myths, Truths, and Our Responsibility

I have two dog friends in my street, Chanya and Manya. I’ve known them for years now, and we have a deep bond built on trust. They don’t doubt me, and I don’t doubt them either.

Once, they were both sitting under my society’s parking shed. I went to them to give them some pets, and they were loving it. We were sharing a quiet, beautiful moment together when suddenly, one of my neighbor came up to me and said, “Don’t pet them. They’re mad dogs. They bark for no reason. I even saw them bite an old lady.”
Inside, I was shocked because I knew this was a lie. But I just smiled at him and stayed silent. Once he left, I continued petting my friends. That day, a thought stuck with me: People have so many misunderstandings about stray dogs. And it’s not just this one incident, almost every time I show affection to a stray dog, someone feels the need to warn me about how dangerous or dirty they are, how they bite, bark, or carry diseases, and how they’re “useless” and a headache for humans.

I understand where this thinking comes from, it’s what our society has told us for generations. But these misunderstandings can be dangerous, because they keep us from seeing the truth and doing our part. Through countless moments like this, I realized that we need to talk about this. I’m sure you, too, have grown up with the idea that stray dogs bite, bark at everyone, and are dirty or dangerous. But let’s look at the truth — and clear these myths one by one.

🐾 Myth 1: Stray dogs bite for no reason.

I don’t know where this idea started, but it’s kind of silly if you think about it. Many people see a dog barking and immediately think they’ll bite but barking and biting are completely different. A stray dog you don’t know will only bite when they feel threatened, fearful, or when they need to protect themselves. Why would a dog bite someone for fun? They don’t enjoy hurting people. But if someone teases them, chases them, throws stones, or threatens them, of course they might defend themselves.
A mother dog might also bite to protect her puppies, just like any mother would. And yes, in very rare cases, a dog suffering from rabies could bite without clear intention, which is rare but that’s also a human failure because we don’t vaccinate our street dogs properly. So, the next time you hear “They bite for no reason,” think twice.

🐾 Myth 2: Stray dogs bark at everyone: They’re dangerous.

Another common fear is that stray dogs bark at people for no reason. But even in my street, my friends Chanya and Manya bark at some people but not at others. Why? Because dogs are incredibly good at sensing energies, they pick up on body language and can sense when someone feels suspicious or unsafe. They’re not mindlessly barking, they’re protecting their territory.
My buddy Manya is like an unofficial security guard.

People hate him for barking, but I know he’s keeping our surroundings safe. Despite people yelling at him, he still does his job, day and night. When he barks at night, it’s because he’s alerting others and staying watchful. When I hear his bark, I sleep peacefully knowing he’s looking out for us. So, if a dog barks at you, don’t panic, just stay calm, ignore them, and walk away.

🐾 Myth 3: Stray dogs are dirty and it’s unhygienic to touch them.

Yes, stray dogs do get dirty, they live outside. But is that really a reason to deny them a kind touch or a bit of food? People often tell me, “Don’t touch them, they’re gross.” But we have water, soap, and hand sanitizer to clean our hands. We happily eat street food, handle money that’s passed through countless hands, and touch hundreds of things each day without thinking twice about germs but when it comes to stray dogs, suddenly hygiene becomes an excuse for neglect.
The issue isn’t dirt, it’s our ignorance and fear. A bit of affection costs nothing, and the joy it gives these neglected souls is priceless.

🐾 Why do stray dogs chase vehicles?

Many drivers- bikers, scooty riders, even car owners wonder why dogs sometimes chase them. They think, “Are they trying to bite me?” In reality, dogs chase moving things because it’s their natural instinct, they react to fast movement the same way they’d chase an animal or guard their territory. It’s protective and sometimes playful act of them. So, if you slow down or stop your vehicle, they’ll usually lose interest and stop chasing you altogether.

🐾 Are stray dogs really “ill-mannered”?

Many people find pet dogs more approachable because they’re trained. But that doesn’t mean stray dogs are dangerous or lack manners. When you build trust with them and understand their behavior, you realize they’re just as loyal and loving as any pet dog. I remember how my buddy Chanya used to drop me to the bus stop every single day in the morning while i was going to my school, and waited their till the time i don’t get inside my bus. It’s our society that’s alienated them and made them seem like outcasts when in reality, they’re just surviving the best they can.

Sadly, the media often only highlights rare, tragic incidents when a pack of dogs attacks someone. Yes, these incidents happen and we must acknowledge them but they’re not the whole truth. Media exaggeration, combined with our lack of questioning, stops us from seeing the bigger picture. It shuts down our critical thinking and makes us forget to ask: Why is this happening?

🐾 So how is it our mistake?

You might wonder, How is it our fault if someone dies because of a dog attack? Or if rabies spreads? Why do we have so many stray dogs in the first place?
The truth is, these problems are rooted in our own actions. Let’s understand this with a bit of history:

Long ago, humans and wolves lived near each other. Some wolves were less aggressive and started coming close to human camps to eat leftover food. Humans allowed them to stay because they helped guard the area and joined in hunting. The mutual benefit made humans and wolves closer. Over many generations, these friendlier wolves slowly evolved and became what we now know as dogs while wild wolves stayed in the forests.

Today, many dogs live on the streets because of us when people abandon them or don’t control their breeding. Stray dogs depend on humans, so they are our responsibility.

That’s how dogs became dependent on us and now, they are ours to care for.

🐾 The hidden cruelty behind breed dogs

And it doesn’t stop there. Even the dogs we buy from breeders, the Golden Retriever, Siberian Husky, Pug, German Shepherd, Bulldog, Rottweiler and many more: didn’t evolve naturally. Humans created these breeds through selective breeding to make dogs look cute, fluffy, or perfect according to our needs. This breeding industry is cruel, female dogs are forced to produce litter after litter in poor conditions, with no regard for their health. Puppies are separated far too early just because buyers want tiny, adorable pups never thinking how painful this is for the mother and baby.
Weak or sick puppies are often killed or abandoned because they won’t get sold. And when a mother dog can’t produce more puppies, she’s thrown away like trash. Even people who once wanted a “fancy” breed often abandon them when they grow old, get sick, or aren’t as entertaining as their fancy imagination. These dogs who know nothing but human homes end up dying on the streets from hunger and heartbreak.

Whether it’s a stray dog or a breed dog, both suffer because of our selfishness and ignorance.

🐾 Responsibility, not pity

Once, someone said to me while I was feeding a stray, “So sweet of you to feed that poor dog!” But I disagree. Feeding stray dogs is not about being “sweet”, it’s not charity or pity or even kindness. For me, it’s about responsibility. It’s my way of saying sorry for what we humans and our ancestors did to them. We made them dependent on us, and then we abandoned them.
If the stray population grows, if rabies spreads, it’s because we fail to vaccinate and sterilize them. It’s our failure to act that creates these problems.

So, if you truly care:

Adopt, don’t shop. If you dream of having a dog, please adopt a stray dog instead of buying from breeders and fueling a cruel industry. If someone buys a dog, they can’t be called dog lovers.

Support vaccination and sterilization camps, as vaccinating dogs could reduce the chances of spreading rabies and sterilization of female dogs would control the population of strays dog.

Feed the strays around you if you can or at least support those who do. Our society is cruel to people who feed stray dogs too. From my experience, I’ve been scolded for feeding Chanya and Manya, and also got weird looks when feeding a stray, almost like I am doing a sin.

If you hear someone spreading myths, speak up. If you know someone planning to buy a dog, help them understand the truth.

As Robin Singh, Animal Welfare Activist and Founder of Peepal Farm, says: “Friends are made, not bought.” Dogs are our friends and they are friends to whom we owe an apology.

In the end, you don’t need to be a dog lover to do this. We just need a sense of responsibility, a little shame, and the courage to do what’s right. Feeding a stray dog is not kindness. It’s our responsibility.

“Read how small kindness creates big ripples– The Ripple Effect Of Kindness: Noticing The Unnoticed.

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