Do they own the roads?

This is the question that rings in my mind and probably most others who use the roads, both in the cities and suburbs, especially in the nights . What  do you think  i am talking about- thieves,  totally drunk kudi magans  , speeding  cars , formless/ gory  ghosts . though all these are potentially fearsome , there is  something else that's a more common frightener for me

 

Sure , u will find it difficult to identify if you have not been on the roads especially after ten on the roads. It is the one touted the man' s best friend , a lot of times- but i  beg to differ about that (as i always  have). Yeah i am talking about the dogs ( but they look like jackals on the prowl during  the night).  Being animal phobic has not helped me any better

 

Am not even as worried to cross the unsignalled main roads in the city at eleven/ travelling in poorly inhabited night trains , as I am about travelling the last 2 kilometres from the the station to my home. the couple of kilometres is mostly a main road with a lot of side roads along it . that distance is inhabited by at least a dozen packs of stray dogs. They come in various hues from the dark black  to white with brown and cream too , but it  does not matter as their bites would leave not so dissimilar marks with morbid and mortal complications.

The problem with them is that you never know when you will be attacked by them. You never take them for granted  even if they appear to be enjoying their sleep ; they could just pounce on you thinking you could run them over. Worst possible scenarios are your crossing their routes when they are in the middle of their territorial fight or an orgy ( which primarily is the cause for their burgeoning numbers - Blue  cross ! are you listening). You are definitely bound to suffer collateral damage ; when you happen to be in the middle of their quarrel.Your escape depends on how your adrenaline acts  to produce  fright / flight / fight response, anyways all three of them are going to get you some wounds if they are in a bad mood. My advice is not to try the flight response;because its tough to evade their teeth  unless you do  an Usain Bolt ( that should be enough unless  you you have another hungry pack in the next territory). Remember the world's fastest man Usain Bolt is at least 50 to 100% faster than  humans with subnormal sedentary lives as yours truly. Fighting is not a good option unless you have a weapon ( at least 3-4 stones / two feet stick).I have seen a neighbour carrying a three feet stick in his scooter for his canine enemies ( that he got a pet dog himself and treated him like his son is  a different matter altogether.  but my dad still maintains a good shout is more than enough most of the times and he says he uses it prophylactically even  before crossing. I too have done that a couple of times , but it has been shouts of fear than frightener!!

And one other unnerving memory would be the way they chase the hapless hen and pigs during the days. There have been instances when I have just avoided head on collisions with them at corner of the streets when they blindly charge during their fights. And lastly about the one blackie that always sits on the compound wall of a house. I don’t pass the route every day without the fear of it pawing and scratching my face

But still I go through the route as I don’t have a choice, praying nothing happens. To part with I am sure , the government should do something to alleviate the stray dog menace!! Otherwise lots of people will have similar thoughts as mine “Do they own the roads? “. Hope and pray the Blue Cross guys behave much more responsibly and treat humans, at least as equals to the animals and not take cudgels against what needs to be done.