Fair game: Urban free-ranging dogs balance resource use and risk aversion at seasonal fairs
Sourabh Biswas, Kalyan Ghosh, Hindolii Gope, Anindita Bhadra

TL;DR
This study examines how seasonal fairs influence the behavior and cognition of free-ranging dogs, highlighting their adaptive strategies in response to human activity and resource fluctuations in urban settings.
Contribution
It provides new insights into the cognitive mechanisms and behavioral adaptations of free-ranging dogs in human-dominated environments during seasonal fairs.
Findings
Dog abundance increases with human activity and resource availability.
Proximity to fairgrounds influences dog behavior and cognitive responses.
Dogs closer to the fair show consistent behavior; those farther away exhibit more aggression.
Abstract
Seasonal fairs, bustling with human activity, provide a unique environment for exploring the intricate interplay between humans and free-ranging dogs. This study investigated these interactions during seasonal fairs in Nadia and Bardhaman districts, West Bengal, India. Across 13 fairground sites, we explore how human footfall and resource availability impact dog behavior, with a particular emphasis on cognitive mechanisms. Data collection occurred from December to March, comprising three sessions - initial, middle, and end, each on three randomly selected days. Employing spot census and scan sampling methods, observers documented GPS locations, sex, and behaviors of free-ranging dogs. Videos captured interactions within the fair environment, revealing cognitive processes. Our analysis revealed a notable increase in human activity during the middle phase, coinciding with a rise in dog…
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Taxonomy
TopicsHuman-Animal Interaction Studies · Wildlife Ecology and Conservation · Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
MethodsGreedy Policy Search
