  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 abundance. Dogs
predominantly foraged, exhibited gait, and remained vigilant, their numbers
positively associated with resource availability. Proximity to the fairground
significantly shaped dog behavior, indicating cognitive processes in
decision-making. Dogs closer to the fair demonstrated consistent behavior,
likely due to immediate resource access, implying sophisticated cognitive
mapping and resource utilization. Conversely, dogs from farther distances
exhibited lower consistency and heightened aggression, intensifying foraging,
gait, and vigilance activities, suggesting cognitive adaptations to resource
scarcity and competition. These findings underscore the intricate relationship
between human activity, resource availability, and the behavior and cognition
of free-ranging dogs during seasonal fairs. They offer insights into the
ecological dynamics of free-ranging dogs in human-influenced landscapes,
emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive management strategies in urban and
peri-urban environments.
