I’ve read many reports saying that Kathmandu & Nepal in general is having a lot of issues with stray dogs & dog attacks. What is the risk of being attacked when walking down the street or when out hiking in the mountains? Is it as bad as the media says? Does the country have easy access to rabies shots? Any other tips to avoid these dogs?!
I love hiking & really want to go to Nepal but this is reason enough to avoid the country (having had other bad dog experiences in south east Asia).
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It’s similar to “**Chances of being killed by duck is low, but never zero”.**
If a stray dog even bark at you aggressively, There will be “Avengers Assemble” kind of thing from people. Nobody will let a stray dogs attack a tourist. You’re thinking too much.
Yeh you can get easily in every ward health post here In nepal rabies shot
I am in Pokhara now, it doesn’t seem to be an issue. Keep your distance. If at night, shine a light in their eyes if they threaten you
Street dogs are relatively big problem in city area but not in hiking trek. You will be fine.
Actually Stray dogs are friendlier than the pet dogs in Nepal unless they got rabies or a mom dog.
You will be fine.
The truth of the matter is, the street dogs we have in our cities are super racist. They will bark at dark-skinned people, especially those who have a rough and gruff appearance (some body that looks like a street urchin or recycler), but they will ignore fair skinned and well dressed people.
There are stray dogs around Kathmandu and other cities. Just keep a distance from them and you will be fine.
You will see few dogs around the hiking trails, some of them even follow you through the trail. If possible feed them dog treats
Unless you poke them they won’t attack you.
If you ever meet a stray dog in hiking / trekking trails, then they are there to drop you to next stop.. not attack you.
I am a solo female travel. Been to Nepal many times. I actually find the dogs there to be friendly compared to many other Asian countries. I often pet them. The locals look after them well- even the street dogs. Never encountered an aggressive one.
Don’t let this fear stop you.
Well lets put it this way, I’ve lived in Kathmandu for 22 years basically my whole life. Never once have I got bitten by a Stray dog.
Dog will be your best friend when you hike in Nepal. Carry biscuits or some dog food, it will ensure that you’ll reach your destination.
Idk who is misleading you, but our stray dogs are friendlier than some people you find along the way. You’ll have great time with them don’t worry
Dogs you meet in the hiking trail are super friendly. You don’t need to be afraid of them, but those in the cities are a different bunch. Some could be aggressive, but most of them are not. Though when you are around stray dogs in the cities, just pretend that you are cool and not scared of them. They won’t do anything to you.
In my decade of stay in Kathmandu, never have I ever felt threatened by a stray dog.
They are, on the contrary, friendlier than pet dogs tbh.
Humans are more scary, you know, just saying.
I found them to be quite nice when you’re not an asshole to them
You will be fine. Nepal is safest country in South Asia. Just take normal precautions. People are friendly and helpful.
Yeh but the trek site you can get easily on ward health post right
Avoiding them is the best way to be safe I have tried many tricks mentioned in the comments and I swear they will attack you if they feel threatened
(I have been bitten by a stray dog 3 times)
you wanna carry something in your hand so that if a dog jumps at you, you can pretend like you’re gonna hurl something at them. it’s mean but that’s the only way. i’ve been bitten a few times during my runs.
I have rarely seen people getting attacked by dogs, they are protective of their are from other dogs but to humans they are not much of threat as passe
Carry a small packet of biscuits or dog food with you, feed them if they come near you and you get scared, it’s easy to bribe dogs as well as humans :/ here in Nepal , haha
we have too many stray dogs, but they are all good doggos. I have been on seven treks and multiple hikes but have never been attacked nor heard of anyone being attacked by stray dogs. They sometimes follow you along the trail for food or company ( they walk from one village to another and usually walk with humans to avoid attack from wild animals ). Just ignore them if you are too afraid to approach, or give them some foods
most of the strays are more friendly than the pets so no worry and even if u get bitten u got easy access to vaccines in health-posts in most of the places
In my experience, the dogs all sleep during the day and only really do anything at night. Then they’re pretty territorial, so one might follow you for a while if you’re walking around, but they always stop at some invisible territory line. I was in Nepal for about 2 months by myself and felt safe the whole time.
Regarding rabies, I know of at least one non-profit in Kathmandu that cares for the street dogs, treats mange, gives them vaccines. The idea is that then the dogs can be a bit of a buffer between humans and rabies by keeping rats and monkeys at bay. If you’re really worried, though, see if you can get vaccinated before you go.
Most feral dogs are friendly. Avoid dogs at night. If a dog acts aggressive locals will probably jump in and protect you. Trekking you won’t see many dogs. I had 1 dog bark at me in namche and it’s owner quickly pulled it back into their home.
They are street dogs, not bull dogs. What you are thinking is rare case. One piece of biscuit and they would guide you to your destination.
if stray dog happen to chase/attack you and you are alone(I did this to protect myself from pack of dogs when I was 13-14)
If there are stone on the ground pick it up or if there is nothing pretend as if you have picked up a stone
look at the dogs eye move your hands back as if you will throw it at any moment
throw the stone near the dogs premises but not to the dog, the dog will back up two or three steps and so do you, you should back up 2-3 steps back and quickly pick up another stone at the right moment
If you don’t have a stone, pretend you have one, back the hand as if you are storing lots of potential energies, half throw it and put your hand to previous position, get down pretend you have got something again from the ground
I have done this to protect myself from the dog and if situation gets out of hand you use the weapons (stick or stones) to protect yourself.
But the dogs on hiking are very friendly, they will follow you, the will walk in-front of you and acts as companion
I am from kathmandu and Even I am scared of Stray dogs. However they mostly attack during the night time, so try to avoid gullies where less people would walk at night time.
Talking about trekking or hiking, you will be fine. The dogs found in the path of trekking have seen different types of people and are mostly friendly.
Thanks all for your comments — I appreciate it! As to why I ask about dogs versus all the ‘dangers’ in Nepal — I have some low key PTSD from my travels in SE Asia, and I’ve read that Nepal is a relatively safe country overall.
Practically no problem of street dogs biting people at all. Honestly it feels like you are a bit over thinker. Of all the probable dangers in Nepal, street dogs?? Unless you got some kind of puppyphobia, rest assured. They do bark at you during late night solo walks but bite is improbable generally.
When the dog bites you bite it back…
I have been bitten by street dogs a couple of times…
After my dog died.. the street dogs started to just look at me and not bark or bite…
I think they feel my loss…
Dogs are worshipped as god’s messengers in Nepal. And according to Kathmandu’s mayor Balen Shah, as dogs travel without visas. It is impossible to control them, because if Kathmandu’s dogs are put in camps. From neighbouring districts, like Patan it will travel to visit Kathmandu.
Rabies vaccines are available in Kathmandu, and unaware about its availability in other districts. Best solution against stray dogs every good old Nepali citizen does is about carrying biscuits in your hand bags. Whenever you are confronted by dogs, please give them some biscuits.
If your country has good dog biscuits then do bring it, because it will be best solution against dog bites. Namaste and Buddha was born in Nepal.
Just get the pepper spray in case you need it. You will not see it everywhere. It is seen by chance. Likewise, you don’t have to get worried at all.
Stray Dogs are at large where people are dense … the thin hiking trails have no stray dog issues and even if you get bitten then the anti rabies shots are easy to get.
I have rarely seen people getting attacked by dogs, they are protective of their are from other dogs and sometime begger/trash picker but to us they are not much of threat as we are thier source of food. At night you may have to avoid/be catious of them if you have fear of dogs and people are near you they will surely help you.
Ignore them nothing would happen
In hiking and trekking trails, dogs are fewer and actually quite friendly. It’s the city areas where they might be aggressive, especially in the nighttime.
Never run. Never stare at them. Just do your thing for the most part and they ignore you too. Some dogs are psychopathic, like 1 in 100, cant do anything against them. Just be poised and they’ll understand you’re more dangerous than them and back off, don’t back them up into a corner if they seem scared. Thats it i suppose.
Are u comedy me
No, theres no such issues
The most friendly dogs are found while travelling especially if you are a solo trekker, they can accompany you as well for trekking for some time as far as attacking dogs go, there are some in city areas but even if you have very very bad luck and get bitten there are many available place to get rabies injection so afraid not and wish you have a good time trekking here
Seriously, stray dogs r a huge issue–currently nasal tumor is running rampant amongst them (& feline parvo–extremely contagious [virus can survive for 1 yr+ on surfaces]–is on the loose among stray/community cats).
No.
Please come you are welcome 🙏 not only street dog 🐕 but also the housing dog barks in such a way that , you are like alien 👽 to them
I know, In Kathmandu valley there is lots of street dogs. But, You can protect yourself. The dogs won’t bite you until you do harmful activity with him/her. I suggest you to, don’t make eye contact with them. Just enjoy your time & way.
I read your post, you’re interested in hiking. Then, go for that. You’ll never face that problems while hiking. There are lots of tourists go hiking also they find quite cute dogs. They are also familiar with it.
I wish, dog won’t get your barrier between your hiking.
When I visit Nepal I often have family that live very close to stray dogs. It’s scary but the thing is they’re not going to attack you as long as you just ignore them and hold your ground. Don’t get frightened when they bark and so on. I’d get the vaccine anyway to save yourself.