A video from Delhi's Connaught Place has started a conversation about empathy, parenting and the values children grow up with.

The clip, which shows a child throwing a stone at a sleeping stray dog while his parents walk away, has left many social media users questioning why acts of cruelty towards animals are often dismissed instead of corrected.

Shared on X, the clip shows a stray dog lying peacefully on the pavement, seemingly asleep and not bothering anyone. Moments later, a young child is seen walking past the animal, picking up a stone and throwing it at the dog.

The startled dog immediately gets up, while the child walks away. What has drawn even greater criticism, however, is the reaction of the adults accompanying the child.

Watch the video here:

The clip quickly spread across social media, prompting a discussion that extended far beyond the incident itself. Many users argued that children are not born cruel and that compassion towards animals is something that must be taught at home.

Several commenters said the episode reflected the role parents play in shaping a child's behaviour, adding that moments like these present an opportunity to teach empathy rather than ignore harmful actions.

Others pointed out that stray animals are often subjected to unnecessary harassment despite posing no threat. They said children should be encouraged to respect all living beings and understand that animals, too, can experience fear and pain.

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Published By:

Srimoyee Chowdhury

Published On:

Jul 22, 2026 13:58 IST