That Massively Viral Story About An Indian Stray Dog Saving A Newborn Baby Is Fake

Nope.

On March 30, Facebook user Rajiv Haksar shared a story that involved a dog saving a newborn baby from a garbage dump.

Facebook: rajiv.haksar.3

The story claimed that an Indian stray dog had picked up a newborn from a street dump, dropped it off at a house, and kept barking till someone opened the door. It also said that the baby is now fine.

The story went hugely viral, getting over 10,000 shares in just a few days, and thousands of impassioned comments.

Facebook: rajiv.haksar.3

Here's the thing, if you've been on the internet long enough, this series of images might seem familiar to you...

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Because it's already been reported to have taken place in Saudi Arabia...

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And Brazil...

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AND Oman...

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In fact, the first report of the dog rescue dates back to October, 2015.

TL;DR – This story didn't happen recently and it DEFINITELY didn't happen in India.

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In fact, "stray dog rescues newborn baby" is a common trope for viral hoax stories around the world.

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Stray dogs have rescued babies in Argentina and Kenya before. However, the majority of these stories are unsubstantiated and unsourced.

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A little more authenticity next time please, internet.

Integrated Films / Via Imaan Sheikh