Stray Dog Protects Against Lions

The security gained by having dogs around, including strays and street dogs, is usually related to human intruders but in Gujarat, India, one stray dog has taken it upon himself to defend his village from a pride of Asian lions (Times of India report here).

The stray has been seen several times barking at the lions and harassing them to within a few feet. The lions have tried, but so far failed, to catch their tormentor who has managed to dodge into the cover of thorn bushes each time. The lions typically then move away perhaps having learned to associate the dog’s attentions with the appearance of people who have been alerted by the dog.

The villagers thus feel a bit safer living in close proximity to potentially dangerous animals and the dog truly earns his scraps.

Learn more about the lives and issue of unowned dogs in my e-book ”A Stray View” available from Bangkok Books (readable as .pdf on any computer)