Those of you who are on vacation in Bali may have noticed that many dogs roam the streets. Sometimes, these dogs are stray, but many are kept but left free outside their homes.
The relationship between dogs and the Balinese people is incredibly close. These dogs don’t just interact with the locals; they often form unique bonds with foreign tourists, making them feel a part of the community.
Packs of stray or loose dogs that are in some tourist areas often roam among tourists. They seem used to interacting with travellers who are waiting at the beach or temple.
These dogs are also friendly and often get along with foreign tourists. As circulated in a viral video on TikTok uploaded by @jemcilwaine.
@jemcilwaine♬ My baby my baby – FrankOceanLover911
In the video, she wrote that a dog in Bali came up to her and seemed to be guarding her when a group of drunk men walked towards her.
The video received more than 1 million likes and thousands of comments, most of which supported foreign tourists and praised the behaviour of the Balinese dogs.
“I remember that happening to me. A man approached me, and suddenly, I was surrounded by the five dogs I always gave treats to,” said one netizen.
“You are protected by the gods on this land; bless your heart,” wrote another netizen.
Many also commented that she should adopt the dogs, but the account owner replied that someone already owned the dogs but was roaming around the community.
Dog in Bali
The dog population in Bali is larger than that of cats. According to online news sources, the total dog population in Bali in 2022 was 619,846 (Source Click Here), a relatively large number.
No wonder we will easily find dogs roaming around Bali, both domesticated and wild.
Not a few stray dogs in Bali, especially those living around tourist attractions, actually have a special mixture so that in terms of stature, fur or colour, they still look attractive.
These dogs, with their natural guarding instincts, contribute significantly to the comfort and safety of the tourists. Many visitors feel a sense of upliftment and comfort when they walk around Bali, knowing that a dog is there to accompany them.
When someone comes, the dog immediately barks and makes people alert.
Have you also felt protected by dogs in Bali while on vacation there?
