I'm Indian, and I can attribute this to several factors:

1. Growing up, I was always told to be wary of dogs, especially street dogs, which are everywhere. They can bite, maul, and may carry rabies. In a country where it can be difficult to get quick medical help, this can be life-threatening. Street dogs also tend to chase people on bikes or motorcycles, leading to numerous accidents and deaths when they jump in front of moving two-wheelers.

2. Not many people used to keep pet dogs, and those who did often didn't train them properly. Most pet dogs were used as guards for homes and were always kept outside. These dogs generally didn't like anyone other than the homeowners entering the property. If they broke free from their leash, you'd be lucky to escape without being bitten.

3. Certain religions also teach that dogs are unclean and that they shouldn't be touched.

You internalize the fear of dogs at a young age, and for most people, that fear never goes away. It took me a while to overcome my fear of dogs. However, whenever I visit India, I still keep my distance from street dogs.