Dehradun, Nov. 7 -- There is an either-or narrative on how to deal with stray dogs. The people of Dehradun, who otherwise claim to be a sophisticated lot, seem to have tapped into this narrative. It is strange that for a people who claim to be compassionate because they belong to a civilisation that considers all living creatures to have souls and, also, speak as inheritors of the pet-loving tradition of erstwhile British masters, should be so confused in their attitude towards dogs.
Unfortunately, it is a fact that neither of these two traditions actually informs the present. For the well-off, dogs are a status symbol, just like their latest Mercedes or Audi. As with their cars, however, many lack the culture to deal with their dogs. Larg...