Govt’s ‘pretend to be tree’ advice to avoid dog bites sparks backlash.

The department advised standing still with hands at one’s sides if approached by a growling dog, adding that the dog will “usually go away.” The department of animal husbandry and dairying is facing backlash for a social media post on combatting the stray dog menace. The goverment department, under the ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying suggested a controversial approach to avoiding dog bites: “pretend to be a tree”. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the department advised, “If a growling dog gets close to you, pretend to be a tree stand still with your hands at your side.” “Allow the dog to sniff you and it will usually go away,” it added. This advice has sparked criticism from social media users, who questioned its practicality and effectiveness. Some pointed out that the department’s advice oversimplifies the issue and fails to address the broader problems associated with stray dogs in India, including the need for vaccination, registration, and population control measures. “It will ‘usually’ go away. Even you cannot guarantee that it will go away for sure. Keeping a stick or rock handy is the only solution to this menace,” one replied. “You must be joking?” another wrote. Here are some more reactions: “Stray dogs shouldn’t even be a thing in India today.” “At least raise concern with the municipality and Nigams to vaccinate the dogs ..register and keep check on pet dogs..if population increases then fix the responsibility.” “Pretend to be a tree? Seriously? And if the dog doesn’t go away in an “unusual” situation then what? Pretend to be lettuce and be a meal for it?