Free-ranging Dog Behavioural Dynamics at Seasonal Fairs

This dataset systematically documents the behavioural dynamics of free-ranging dogs (FRDs) within bustling seasonal fairs. Collected across 14 fair sites in the Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and Bardhaman districts of West Bengal, India, during the winter and spring seasons (December to March) of 2021-22 and 2022-23. Data was gathered on three randomly selected days per fair, in three daily sessions (initial, middle, end). The dataset comprises precise GPS locations, sex, and life stage of sighted FRDs, alongside detailed behavioural observations (e.g., foraging, gait, affiliative, aggressive, territorial, vigilance) derived from spot censuses and video recordings. It also includes human flux counts, resource point GPS coordinates, and unique identifiers for videos, fairs, and individual dogs. Additionally, pre- and post-fair surveys provide data on dog group compositions, territorial boundaries, and the distance of dog territories from the fair periphery, categorizing dogs into distinct "fair zones." Photographic records for individual dog identification are also included. This rich dataset offers a comprehensive view of FRD ecology in dynamic, human-dominated environments.