Stray dogs disrupt life across South India, endangering children, damaging property, and exposing flawed compassion—writes Mujeeb Jaihoon.
In the name of mercy, South India’s streets have turned hostile. Packs of stray dogs roam freely, terrorizing the dignity and safety of its people. The horror is not odd—it is routine. Children dare not walk to school, women hesitate to step out for daily errands, and elders tremble in their own compounds. Humanity now stands hostage to a misplaced kindness.
Families are forced to fortify their homes, not against burglars, but barking beasts. Automobiles parked in residential compounds are scratched and chewed, and sleep is taken hostage by the barks and howls. Stray dogs have turned to thugs and vandals.
Children in Peril
The most heart-wrenching stories come from school zones. In Kerala alone, over 200,000 dog bite cases were reported in a single year. Children have been mauled while walking to school or playing in their compounds. Infants have been killed. The trauma leaves behind scars of fear that no medicine can heal. In Hyderabad, a four-year-old boy was fatally attacked by a pack of dogs in broad daylight.
Damage to Peace and Property
Stray dogs have been known to damage properties, including automobiles parked in home compounds. Torn seat covers, scratched paint, and chewed wires are common complaints. The barking and howling at night rob residents of sleep, turning peaceful neighborhoods into zones of unrest. Even gated communities are not spared from this animal terror.
Animal Love vs Human Safety
Pet love and animal care are noble indeed. Feeding and caring for animals is a mark of compassion. But animal love cannot be at the expense of human life and inconvenience. Safety and security of human life and property are vital for human existence. All other luxuries—be it pet affection or idealistic sentiment—come second.
If humans don’t live in safety, then who will remain to feed and care for animals? Love must not blind us. Mercy must not misfire. Let not our compassion become our curse.
(Mujeeb Jaihoon is an author and social critic whose work explores the spiritual undercurrents of contemporary life.)