They also get scared like human beings, say vets

Due to fear on lonely stretches at night, dogs become more aggressive .

There are many dog lovers in Delhi, and they bring strays to the vets if they are hit or hurt. Veterinary doctors also get requests to treat dogs when they start creating problems for residents after dark.

“It’s common to see a dog or a group of them bark at people after dark. This happens more in residential areas. Even local people who the dogs know and do not harm in the daytime are being barked at,” says Dr Smita Panda, who runs a dog clinic in Kalkaji, south Delhi.

She says that like human beings, dogs feel unsafe and lonely when it starts to get dark.
“Till 9 pm one can see people moving around, and the lights outside houses are on. Thus, for a few hours after sunset Delhi is quite bright and lit. It’s only after 9.30 or so that the lights start to go off. This induces a sense of insecurity among dogs,” she says.
Dr Panda adds that deserted lanes also make dogs feel unsafe.

“Their barking on a lonely stretch at strangers and locals alike is an indication that they are feeling unsafe and going on the offensive to protect themselves,” says Dr Panda.
She says she has been asked by people several times to try to treat dogs in the locality as late-night barking troubles residents, especially women and children.

Dr R V Sharma, veterinary doctor with Apollo Dog Clinic in Kirti Nagar, east Delhi, says dogs usually don’t bite and are satisfied with barking and seeing the person leave.
“But it’s true that more dog bite cases happen after 10 pm,” says Dr Sharma, who treats eight to 10 dogs a month for accidents and other problems.

“We don’t go out to treat them. There are enough dog lovers in Delhi who bring stray dogs if they see them suffering. We treat them for free, but the material for treatment has to be bought by the people who bring them,” he says.

Dr Sharma adds that the treatment material is not very costly. Antibiotics for a week cost Rs 50, while plaster can be done for Rs 100.

“What is important is that the dog is taken care of after leaving our clinic. They have to be provided food according to taste and the disease,” he says. “If the person who has brought the dog is not familiar with handling dogs and has brought it out of love and care, then the person won’t know the diet pattern of that particular dog. This creates problems when the dog is already unwell.”

“One has to be patient for a day or two to understand the dog and care accordingly,” says Dr Sharma.