In India, the dog debate is heating up. Activists, pet lovers, and ordinary citizens are clashing over what’s right and what’s humane. The nuisance of street dogs is real — and I’ve personally had multiple encounters since my student days.

Now, let me be clear: I’m a pet lover myself. I had a cute pug named Burger Boy who was with me for 11 years. But here’s the truth — street dogs are not pet dogs. They live a very different life, and my anger is not against dogs, but against how so-called activists romanticize their suffering.

The Harsh Reality of Street Dogs

• Their condition is miserable — constantly fighting with other dogs for food, territory, or a female.
• They face the brutality of climate: heat waves, rains, floods — with no shelter.
• They often die an ugly death — from wounds, infections, starvation, or accidents.

Yet, many “dog lovers” and “activists” don’t talk about these realities. In the guise of compassion, they’re often doing more harm to both dogs and humans by resisting structured solutions.

My Take

Loving pets is wonderful. But equating street dogs with pets is misleading. A homeless, vulnerable, and suffering animal on the road is not the same as a pampered pet at home. Pretending otherwise doesn’t help the dogs — it just prolongs their misery.

If we really care, we should think about long-term solutions: proper shelters, sterilization programs, and responsible adoption — instead of just slogans.