In a moving incident in a railway workers’ colony in Nabadwip, West Bengal, a few-hours-old newborn was discovered abandoned on cold ground outside a public toilet — with no cloth, no note, and no human presence. Remarkably, a group of stray dogs gathered around the infant and stood guard through the entire night. They neither barked nor left their vigil, effectively shielding the baby from danger until dawn.

At first light, a local woman heard faint cries and approached, finding the dogs forming a protective circle around the newborn. She carefully retrieved the child and alerted neighbours. The baby was immediately taken to hospital; doctors later confirmed there were no injuries, and that the marks on the baby’s head were likely from birth.

Police and child-welfare authorities launched an investigation into who abandoned the newborn. Meanwhile, the community — moved by the dogs’ unexpected compassion — began feeding the same strays. Residents remarked that these very dogs, often chased away as nuisances, displayed more empathy and instinct to protect than many humans. The episode has resonated widely, reminding us that kindness and guardianship can come from the most unlikely sources.