Residents in India have no recourse from conflict with dogs in public spaces

 Health is a state subject and it is the statutory, civic duty of local authorities as defined by Municipal Acts across the country to keep the streets free of straying animals, check the spread of diseases, and prevent public nuisance. The ABC programme transfers this responsibility of the government to voluntary organisations with no liability.

State governments and the Centre continue to spend crores of rupees on post-bite treatment/vaccination, rabies deaths, man hours lost, and accidents. Local authorities spend taxpayer money on maintaining dog vans and pounds and manpower. 

Citizens, especially the poor, continue to face dog attacks in public places, with children being attacked regularly. 

Many citizens troubled by biting dogs and have approached courts in all parts of the country, filed petitions with corporations / other authorities, and given press interviews - with no impact on the ground, it seems. See here too. 

In fact, hearing of such petitions came to a stand still because of an interim order dated November 18, 2015 passed by the Supreme Court of India in the case related to Animal Welfare Board of India Vs. People for Elimination of Stray Troubles and others. The order requested all high courts not to pass any order relating to 1960 Act and 2001 Rules, pertaining to the stray dogs.

Yogesh Bhardwaj, veterinarian at the Nainital zoo, said, “Dogs being territorial animals will attack any outsider entering their areas, including pets and its owners. Some dogs are also agitated as speeding vehicles pass by and tend to attack drivers. During mating season, high levels of testosterone in males also incite them to attack humans.”

Expert advice on aggressive dogs: Not all stray dogs are aggressive. Most do not bother any human around them. However, an aggressive dog can disturb harmony. One such dog can form a pack of two, three or more dogs as it becomes the alpha of a pack.

Dogs in his pack tend to become aggressive and become dangerous for humans and other animals, including pet dogs and stray bovines. If any dog feeder spots the first sign of aggression in any stray dog, it should be immediately reported to the civic agencies. If the dog's behaviour continues to be aggressive, it should be sent to a dog shelter for the safety of others.

"According to law, such dogs can only be sent back to their locality if they show a change in behaviour. Ignoring signs of aggression, defending aggressive dogs and preventing their removal from the area can lead to a disastrous situation," said Kaveri Rana Bhardwaj, an animal rights activist and rescuer.

 Feeding dogs at places that are away from homes is important. Dogs have a territorial tendency and it's their nature to protect the human who is providing food. If a person is feeding the strays in front of her home, she is treating the dog like her pet and the stray dogs react like one despite being out on the street.

They will protect her house at any cost, and this leads to a dispute with other groups of dogs or even humans that are just passing by. Any suspicion can lead to a disaster if there is a pack of such dogs.

The People for Elimination of Stray Troubles blogspot makes an interesting point : Ensure that the citizens’ rights are upheld by clearing the streets of stray animals. Basically, this includes public areas free of stray animals as provided for by the municipal and panchayat acts - a demand that the existing law be implemented and enforced.