Just to add. Rabid dogs actually die quite quickly and behave quite differently.

Most Indians dislike dogs because of their fear of dirt and the general misunderstanding of dogs behaviour, which is based upon their noses and mouths (ie they approach to sniff and often pant with teeth showing)

Fear of Dirt = hatred shared by many tropical cultures. Microbiology would say they are correct, the soil tends to contain more worms and higher bacterial count. Eg - my Indian mum lost her first baby (gastroenteritis) when she ate earth/dirt.

Fear of dogs behaviour- I've had 3 dogs and 2 of them were absolutely unpredictable (albeit too friendly). An approaching walker wouldn't know whether my lab was jumping to attack (I tell them it's safe) or play.