Are Indian people afraid of dogs?

Please forgive my ignorance — I know next to nothing about India or its culture. I also understand that sure a huge country will surely be home to many different cultures and perspectives.

I’m Irish, living in Ireland. My tenant is from India. Lovely guy and super smart.

I was babysitting a friend’s dog for a week. My tenant came home, saw the dog, and reacted in absolute terror.

And I mean real terror. As if the dog were a 2-foot tall spider. Literally dropped his shopping and ran out the front door in panic.

(The dog is a Labrador and is, to us, about as threatening as a balloon.)

Separately, my brother just bought a home in a new housing estate. Most of his neighbours are from India and working in Ireland.

Yesterday evening he was walking his dog, and they turned a corner into a few Indian families all out for a stroll together. 12-15 people.

Absolute pandemonium. It was like a fire drill in a mental asylum.

Women screaming in terror. Men rushing to pick up their children and flee to safety from this killer hound.

So that’s my question. Are some Indian people afraid of dogs?

If so, why? Are dogs a “danger” in parts of India? Because they’re disease-riddled etc.

I know it can be that way with cats in Greece. And everything in Australia can kill you - kids’ cartoons exported there from the UK have to be edited if they have a “friendly spider” because spiders in Australia can kill you.

Thank you for any advice!