Dog confronts elephant on a quiet road, ends up making a dramatic escape: 'If looks could kill'

A fascinating video capturing a stray dog's audacious interaction with a majestic elephant has captured the attention of internet. Shared on X (formerly Twitter) by retired Indian Forest Service officer Susanta Nanda, the 21-second clip is a rollercoaster of suspense and humour.

(Also read: 'Stressed' elephant gores Spanish student to death while she was bathing the tusker in Thailand)

The encounter: Curiosity meets authority

The video opens with an elephant strolling calmly down a road when a stray dog, driven by sheer curiosity, steps into its path. The encounter takes a turn when the elephant, visibly irked by the unexpected interruption, fixes the dog with a piercing glare.

Despite the elephant’s stern expression, the dog remains undeterred, wagging its tail in defiance. The tension peaks as the elephant takes a few deliberate steps forward before abruptly charging at the dog. The startled canine, in a split second, makes a dramatic retreat, ensuring its safety.

Watch the clip here:

Susanta Nanda aptly captioned the video, "If looks could kill! Just look at the elephant’s expression while charging at the dog. OMG," adding a humorous layer to the already engaging clip.

(Also read: Elephant returns kid's shoe that fell into its enclosure: 'Humans should take notes')

Social media bursts into laughter

The video, unsurprisingly, triggered a wave of reactions, with users sharing their amusement and interpretations of the incident. One viewer commented, “That dog has some serious guts! But I’m sure it re-evaluated its life choices after that charge.” Another chimed in, “The elephant’s side-eye could teach a masterclass in how to shut someone down.”

“Who needs action movies when nature gives us this?” joked one netizen, while another remarked, “The dog probably thought it was making a friend. Lesson learned: not all roads lead to friendship!”

Some users couldn’t help but empathise with the canine. “Poor thing! It looked so brave but must’ve been terrified,” wrote a sympathetic commenter. Meanwhile, another exclaimed, “The elephant was like, ‘Not today, buddy!’” One user summed up the moment perfectly, saying, “Classic case of biting off more than you can chew.”