Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:31pm on 04 Dec 2025,Thursday India
A new study by the Esya Centre surveying 1,063 people across ten cities reveals that 91% of Indians feel safer due to street dogs. The research shows a dramatic 90% decline in rabies deaths, dropping from 534 in 2004 to just 54 in 2024. Most respondents (73.5%) describe free-ranging dogs as friendly, with only 10.8% calling them aggressive. Additionally, 91.4% believe these dogs deter crime, while 52% say they enhance safety for women and children. The study notes 74% of feeders consider dog feeding a religious practice. Researchers recommend policy shifts away from removal-based approaches toward better sterilization programs, waste management, and community collaboration. (PC: The New York Times)
