Shreedevi Prasad: Freedom to human beings as well as animals is of utmost importance. People are fond of taming animals and capturing them in sheds, houses, cages etc. It is an individual's fascination towards animal which tends them to do so. But, have we ever thought that keeping animals in human habitats is in itself unjust towards these animals. The ardent animal lovers forget that their immense love for animals is depriving the poor lot from living in freedom. The most often tamed animal is the Dog.

Putting collar belts around them and dragging them by chains is a view we often notice in our surroundings. Dogs are tamable but are still wild in nature. However they are trained and practised they tend to behave wildly at times which can never be sensed. Homes where there are small children should prefer to keep the dogs away because small children cannot defend themselves from the big animal.

Dogs are furious animals and carriers of rabies virus. The hair over them has small lies beneath them which is highly infectious when contacted by human beings. The hair over the animals too is hazardous in nature when in human contact. The hair keeps falling off the animal as they age. How far can we prevent it from entering into our moving areas especially to our dining room? When we happen to trace even a small stone in our food items like dal or rice etc we hesitate to have that food. Just imagine if it is fallen hair of the animal. What shall be our fate?

There have been plenty of incidents of dog bites, many of them tamed at home. Dogs with rabies virus can be dreadful. The saliva is the main source of rabies infection which can be transmitted through contact with injured animal. Rabies as we know results in painful death following restlessness, choking, convulgence and inability to swallow liquids.

Several times dogs do keep barking making the people in the locality have nightmares. The owners of these dogs may be having deep love for their dear ones but as far as the common man is considered, it is totally different, I think.

Rajiv Nair: Dog is human's best friend. Once it has become our friend, the friendship continues till its death. No animal in this world can be trusted like the dog.

There is no harm in keeping the dog at home (not inside the home). Just give him something to eat and he will protect your house from intruders and thieves throughout the day and night. In fact dog is economical (comparing high security cost these days) provided you don't keep the hybrid varieties. Such dogs demand more from you and are expensive to keep. But the Indian dogs can survive in any season without much expense to the owner.

Note: The dog must be outside the home and not inside particularly if any of the members of the family is suffering from asthama or allergy. Keeping cats inside the house is also dangerous to the asthama and allergy patients.

Valsala V RajanFrom times immemorial dogs have been the best companions of man. There are many stories/incidents how a pet dog saved his master's life. In this materialistic world one can expect sincere love and affection only from this animal. Now medical science also says that keeping a pet dog can work miracle in one's mood. In today's overstressed lifestyle, ailment like BP is very common. Now, doctors are of the opinion that keeping a pet dog in home and spending some time with it can lower your BP level.

Nowadays theft is a menace. By keeping a trained dog in home it can alert the owner of an intruder.

Finally if one could be caring and considerate to a pet dog he could also be a good soul.

Anil Kumar: Keeping the practice of dog is a very interesting topic. Different people may have different views. Dog has remained companion of man since time immemorial. The evidence of the dog for the first time was found from Kashmir during the prehistoric period. Dog is considered as the most faithful animal. The dog protects its owner from enemies. Man feels safe by keeping dog. If any unknown person comes then dog barks. No unknown person dares to enter into house. During the night when every person of the family sleeps then only dog guards from thieves. There are many varieties of dogs. Some are very dangerous.

But keeping the practice of dog is not always good. Sometimes we see that dog becomes mad and it becomes very dangerous and then it may take the life of any person. Sometimes it may be barrier in personal relationship. People generally fear of going to house of those people who are having dog.

Jaskaran Singh Dhami: When you think of a pet it is generally the image of a dog that come to our mind though other animals like cats, rabbits and hamsters etc have their share of pet keepers. There is no second opinion that dog is the most faithful and loveable animal amongst all pet animals including parrots and other birds. There are stories of dog's faithfulness in almost all countries. In Mahabharta it was a dog which kept Yudhishtra's company when all human beings deserted him one by one. Yudhishtra insisted on taking it into heaven.

There is therapeutic use of keeping a dog at home. You reach home dog tired after a hectic day at the office, cursing your boss whose bark is worse than his bite and a traffic jam while you return home makes you tag your life as a dog's life but the moment you enter your home your pet dog comes jumping, wagging its tail and barking with joy (scoring over your wife and kids) all your worries vanish in a jiffy and you acknowledge the love showered upon you by patting your dog which makes you feel the most important person on this earth. Can you think of a better stress buster? Your dog rejuvenates your spirits and your life no more seems to you a dog's life. (Not your dog's, of course!). This curative effect is of immense value.

Your dog guards your house and gives company to your kids. It also shares with you your better half's fury. (Imagine! if you were alone to face it! God forbid!).

In return to all that your dog gives you it wants simple food and a pat of love (unless it is an imported breed unable to get along in Indian climate needing tortuous attention and reared to showcase your status). So, don't you think it is good to have a dog as a pet in your house? To ensure that your dog does not become a nuisance for you and your neighbours please give it good training and regularly visit a vet for anti-rabies vaccination and other diseases of dogs. If the need be, get it sterilized. If your local administration imposes a tax on keeping a dog and a licence is obligatory you must honour these obligations. It's a pittance in comparison to the happiness your doggy gives you.

Bow Vow...Bow Vow

RJ Khurana: Yes, it is a good practice. Dogs give you so much of love and protection, are extremely faithful and demand little in return. Blind people need them for guiding them through the traffic. Doctors recommend keeping pet dogs because they have therapeutic value. In these days of rising crimes against person and property, it is the dog that can offer you the best protection against anyone intruding into your property or attacking your person. It is for these qualities that a dog has been recognized as man's best friend. Legend has it that Mahabharat's legendary hero Yudhishtra refused to enter heaven when his faithful dog that accompanied him was denied admission along with him.

Alka Dixit: Dog in a home is a great idea. It may cheer or depress you. This is the name we will never forget. She would run stairs when she heard the sound of my car. Down the stairs very fast. One day Tini broke her leg. It was Sunday; no doctor was available. We went to a friend and with great persuasion he took her X-ray and put plaster, though he was not a veterinary surgeon. Within three-four days Tini cut her plaster. This time she broke her other leg also. We kept her in plaster for a month or so. Now, she could not run. It was pathetic to see her like this.

Tini received me at my gate as a VIP. Nobody in my life gave me such warm welcome.

Once I was angry and I took out my anger on her. I beat her badly but she did not even retaliate. I saw sorrow in her eyes. How could I be so cruel? I promised myself that I will never do it again in my life and I kept the promise till Tini died. I totally lost the affection. The sorrow of losing her was so much that I decided never to keep a dog again.

Anyone having a pet I n the house passes through spirits of emotions unexplained. Once the dog gets lost, it needs a great courage to have the pet replaced.

Voids are bridged but never filled in life.

Sushmita Shrivastava: Your dog gives you a lifetime of unconditional love, loyalty, and friendship. In return, he counts on you to provide him with food, water, safe shelter, regular veterinary care, exercise, companionship, and more. If you take good care of your dog, you'll be guaranteed to develop a rewarding relationship with your canine companion. It is perfectly right to keep dogs in the homes for companionship. A fenced yard with a doghouse is a bonus, especially for large and active dogs; however, dogs should never be left outside alone or for extended periods of time. Dogs need and crave companionship and should spend most of their time inside with their family. Dogs should be vaccinated for rabies. Outfit your dog with a collar and ID tag that includes your name, address, and telephone number. Give your dog a nutritionally balanced diet, including constant access to fresh water. Ask your veterinarian for advice on what and how often to feed your pet. Give your dog enough exercise to keep him physically fit (but not exhausted). Most dog owners find that playing with their canine companion, along with walking him twice a day, provides sufficient exercise. Be loyal to and patient with your faithful companion. Make sure the expectations you have of your dog are reasonable and remember that the vast majority of behavior problems can be solved.

Jeevan Ganawa: Yes of course, keeping of dogs in homes is a good practice indeed. In this age when thefts, robberies, loots and stealing are at peak and common people is afraid of security concerns it is need of the hour to have dogs for protective measures. Dogs not only look after the homes and property but also give their faithful services to their masters. When one has to leave house at the risk of somebody he or she is worried about his belongings but while having dog at home removes all the fears.

Dogs are human beings' best friends. Even if our dear ones may leave us alone during diffcult situation of life but our friend dog will not leave us alone. It is very faithful to its master. It loves everyone in the family and tries to become one among its members. One can imbibe the good quality of fidelity from dogs. In every hamlet or slum areas we can see poor people having dogs. Whether it is for protection or for any other reason in every aspect dog is of friendly nature to its master. It can become ferocious to enemies and thieves when it comes to prove its duty for the love of its master.

These days the inhuman activities done towards dogs are the mark of our selfishness. When the dogs become old people leave them out to wander on the streets. These kind of acts are not good but obviously bad. Let us understand the value of this pet animal which renders its service just not for the sake of service but for the sake of love. It's high time to value them or it will be too late.

Syed Zia Ul Hasan Naqvi: Dog is a very faithful, vigilant and extra ordinarily intelligent pet animal with a highly sensible nose. Dog is often used by the police to ferret the criminals also. Beyond any doubt dog is a good watchman, merely its presence in the house petrify people and nobody can dare to enter in the house because as soon as any stranger comes in front of him , he starts barking furiously and alerts all the persons in the house .

Books are replete from the stories of dog faithfulness. So seeing its utility and loyalty most of the persons will suggest that it is better to keep a fealty animal dog than those kith and kins that are in constant to you.

But in Islam keeping a dog in house is prohibited because it is a filthy animal and in its presence angels do not come in that house. Dog saliva often carries rabies virus which may cause even death of a person if bitten by such a dog who carries rabies virus.

In spite of seeing all pros and cons of keeping a dog in home, in my opinion we should keep dog in home because it is useful and faithful also, but subject to following conditions:-

· Dog should not be kept in our vicinity .It should not enter in our kitchen , drawing room and bed rooms etc and should be kept at a distance · Dog should be kept in hygienic conditions; it should be always neat and clean and should not be feculent or fetid.

· Dog should be trained in such a way that it should not be a nuisance for neighbours · Dog should be vaccinated · There should not be any kind of cruelty to dog.

Amrita Singh: Sorrow-a display of grief or sadness is found common especially in the lives of people residing in the metropolis. Reason could be many but solution lies definitely in the sanity of the mind. To overcome this sadness and to fulfill the accomplishment need as an individual, petting is perceived as an undoubtedly the ultimate solution. People overcome the lack of playfulness in their lives by keeping dogs as pets. On the contrary, sudden demise or illness of the pets leads to depression. While practicing the pleasures of petting it is also very important to keep the pets in a good physical and mental condition. Unhealthy state of the pet has a direct influence on health the person petting it and vice versa. Hygienic living conditions, regular visit to the veterinary, appropriate eating habits are some requisites for a domestic animal.

Krishna Chander Mouli: Among the Indians, pets have always been associated with status and their need. Generally horses are pets with aristocrats and those belonging to royal lineage. Elephants are pets of religious shrines. Birds like parrots, peacocks/hens, are decorative and pet animals like cats, mongoose are for a limited purpose like protecting oneself from mice and snake menace. Buffaloes do not come under the pet category. But in contrast cows do come under pet category although they are for milk purposes. In Indian Muslim families goats are pet animals, as well as milch animals. Buffaloes and goats are two animals which are sacrificed too under the garb of some outdated religious traditions.

Dogs are a different type of pet animals. Firstly they are faithful to their masters to the extent of even sacrificing their lives. They are ferocious too when barking at their master's enemies or new comers and if they are let loose their bite may even be traumatic if not fatal. Over and above all they have a charismatic sixth sense of smell which helps in investigation.

Keeping a pet animal is no doubt a good practice. But keeping such animals sans civic sense can be like owner's pride and neighbour's envy. Proper dwellings and sanitation facilities for these pet animals should be ensured. In the case of canines specially care should be taken that they are not a nuisance and terror for the neighbours, passers by, visitors and even the family members. Their biological urges and needs are properly taken care of, lest they may get entangled with a rabid street dog/bitch and then killing the pet only remains the last choice.

With human guards taking their place in VIP bungalows and villas of the affluent, dog as a barking and biting guard and an agent of investigation is gradually missing in residences though there are other more fortunate canine species which are now bed fellows of human beings. All said and done dog continues to be the most loyal of the pet animals and keeping of dogs is therefore a good practice.

RK Kutty: Whenever one sees a board hanging in front of the main entry gate of palatial bungalows that reads `Beware of dog,' one can understand the idea behind. Dogs, definitely, are much faithful to their masters. Since time immemorial, man and dog attachment is quite idealistic as dogs are sensitive and do faithful service to the ones who take care of them. The services of dogs in police department to catch hold of thieves and in these days the part being played by sniffer dogs trained in detecting explosives are commendable. So, dogs in homes or taking use of their services in various other sensitive jobs is acceptable and there is no doubt about that.

Since the question is about keeping of dogs in homes a good practice, we have to define homes itself first. This question, instead, should have been framed ˜Is keeping of dogs in multi-storied houses/flats a good practice', in so far as life in places like a capital city- Bhopal is imaginable, then I would personally disagree on that very idea for multifarious reasons. First of all, we have no dearth of dogs; in fact, all our colonies are flooded with them. Since, animal lovers (ever since the infamous enactment by the NDA Minister Ms Maneka Gandhi), are up in arms against any act of atrocities, particularly to dogs, their census is increasing, no matter many in their midst might be carriers of the dreaded rabies. Thanks to the people of Kerala who start violating the very Act itself, as dogs outsmarted men on the streets, particularly when the State has a high density population and dog bite cases, thereby symptoms of rabies in humans, become nuisance. Why do the law makers forget the Malthusian theory of maintaining balance where even nature too reacts violently whenever population vis-a-vis natural resource ratio gets disbalanced? People keeping dogs in such flats/multi-storied houses come out with their pets early in the morning and they litter right alongside or on the roads which not only produces foul smell but several health hazard. Nowadays, when the MP Government has issued an order to fine human litters along roadside or on the open area, naturally such pet owners should also come under the provisions of such an order. Therefore, they should stop keeping dogs in these houses. Apart from these, the constant barking of pet dogs irritates people living in the neighbourhood. Some may be having medical problems that may escalate further and there have been instances of quarreling between neighbours over such issues. The Corporation can, therefore, think of charging some fines to those who keep pets in high-density areas like multi-storied flats so that this practice would die-down slowly and that would help in maintenance of cleanliness of our roads and surrounding areas. Rajat Abhinav: Yes, it's good to keep dogs in homes. Dogs not only protect our homes from robberies and thefts, but they are also good companions of human beings. The foremost characteristic of dogs is that they can be easily domesticated. Once domesticated they are loyal to human beings for ever.

It is said dogs are more loyal to human beings than humans are to one another.

Earlier dogs were considered only for safety of a house. These days many people keep them from not only security point of view but also to entertain them. They serve as stress buster. Today's life is full of tension, anxiety. When you enter your home, the dog will come to you immediately, shower love on you. It relaxes your day's pressure, stress and anxiety.

These days when the concept of joint family is fast eroding and many people be it newly married couple or old couple are living lonely and separately in their homes, a dog can come in their lives to fill their emptiness with love, loyalty, care and safety as well.

Vaisakh Kurup: Dogs have been associated with humans from a long time. They are the most closely related animals to us. Keeping of dogs in our homes is a good practice but it has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Some of the advantages of keeping dogs is that they guard our house, they become our close friends, they also fulfil the need of pets. If properly trained they can become guide dogs and can guide the elderly people during their routine morning and evening walks. They become part and parcel of our family.

The disadvantage includes incurring of heavy expenses. We have to train the dog so that it does not spoil the household goods, it does not go out of the home, to train it not to bite others, to keep it clean.

Nowadays keeping dogs has become more of a hobby, people bring expensive breeds of dogs.

People living in independent houses have the maximum benefit of keeping a dog. They have enough space where the dog can move around and it can guard their house. Sign boards are put warning about presence of a dog. Dogs when kept inside houses may create unhygienic conditions. In flats they should be avoided. They should be trained not to bite as dog treatment is very costly these days.

Lijo Joseph: Since ages a dog has been man's best friend. Loyal, trustworthy, loving and protective in its nature, the dogs are man's ideal companions. Keeping dogs at home is an intelligent practice, because they help in the security of the house and its members and also give good company to the little kids in the house. But at the same time, if the pet dogs are not properly vaccinated, then they pose threats to the family members. So, they should be vaccinated and provided with proper hygiene. It's common these days that the pet dogs are allowed inside the living room, bedroom, kitchen etc which is sometimes not comfortable for visitors and guests. I feel that the dog should be given all the love and care as to a family member but it should better be kept in its own kennel. In this way, the dogs would be of great use and help in the household, without any threats and problems. In this way we ensure that the dogs get the proper love and care, and we get the services and company of the dogs.

Like this, everything is quite ethical and it would be an intelligent and good practice to keep dogs at home.

Ravi: Dogs may be good to keep at home but only once. That experience is enough. The rest you may get pleasure by seeing other's dogs. Generally the mother of the house is the worst sufferer due to keeping of a dog. She has to look after the dog, take it for walk, give it feed. The other children don't take care of the dog's needs. And a family cannot go out of the town together. Somebody has to be there to take care of the dog.

At times if anything happens to the dog, the mother is blamed. Thus too much attention goes for the dog which is not good.

In some homes the people keep the dog always tied and this makes them irritating and ferocious and whenever any person comes the dog barks loudly and the guest cannot converse and feels like leaving the home as soon as possible. Many a time I have seen people shouting ``kutta hai kya, bandh ke rakho'.

Dog bite or injury by even a pet dog is considered dangerous and requires vaccination which is quite costly.

So in my opinion it is better not to keep a dog at home.

Dr Visal A Khan: Pretty dog breeds all over the world, some have upright ears, others have drop ears, and still others have long droopy ears. The variety of canine colours and patterns is amazing as is the disparity in size, body shape, and coat type. A tiny Chihuahua and a giant New foundland are both Canis luus familiaris even though one weighs less than five pounds and the other weighs more than 150 pounds. Most breeds have been refined over hundreds of years to do a variety of chores from bed-warming, and vermin hunting to sheepherding, water rescue, cart or sled pulling, livestock and property guarding, and game hunting and retrieving. There is a group of dogs that has escaped this modification, a group that has relatives spread throughout the world yet has managed to retain its ancient form by preserving a loose association with man. In some cases, this association is mutually beneficial, in others it simply provides the dog with a steady supply of healthy food advised by specialist veterinary doctor. Some of these dogs have been captured and bred to work and live in human households. The Canaan Dog is an example of a primitive dog that lived in concert with desert people but was not bred to a standard or trained to do particular work until the middle of the 20th Century. Today the Canaan Dog has two national clubs in the US to conserve its type and heritage, is exhibited in events sanctioned by the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club, and is kept as a pet. To keep watch dog in home, one must have capacity and enough budget to maintain up keep health of pretty dogs.

Experiments show that dog-walking causes more than 40 per cent reduction in bird abundance and more than 35 per cent reduction in bird diversity in woodlands, even if the pets are kept on a lead. Similarly there may be lot of peace disturbance in dwelling areas In the new study the team controlled dog walking at 90 sites in woodland on the urban fringe of Sydney and monitored the responses of many kinds of birds, one of the key wildlife groups at risk from disturbance, when presented with walkers with dogs, walkers without dogs and a control (no walkers or dogs). Fast walking with dog may improve health of a man associated with the dog activities for pulling chain with both hands. Dog-walking has positive benefits to both human and canine health. The study that wildlife still perceives domestic dogs as a threat is inconclusive.

If we really want to be researcher perhaps the "observers" could advise us if there are specific breeds of dog that are perceived to be more threatening than others.

Then dog loving, countryside walkers could then select our dog to be more "environmentally friendly. To keep dogs in home is good practice as dog is very lovely and the most faithfull animal, but to maintain dog's health normal is not so easy for a middle or general class man. Only the rich man may keep a signboard at door `Beware of dogs' to declare his highness.