> It is usually (i) anxiety triggered over reactions on the part of humans or worse, plain abusive behavior (ii) such as kicking, beating the dogs or driving/riding dangerously.
Sorry that it happened. I can give some useful tips on handling such a situation.
From what I have seen, such incidents cluster into two types
i) the dogs have been habitually harassed by bikers, who hit and kick. You might have no intention of doing that but the dogs don't know that. It's bad human behavior that has trained the dogs to react like that. Unfortunately very common.
ii) these are play chases / mock chases. Their fun goes away when there is no prey that's running away. This is exacerbated by the "prey" speeding up or acting scared.
In both cases, stopping and holding your ground dissuades them if a chase is already on. Note you are considerably bigger and can inflict substantial damage to them. They are respectful when your behavior projects that belief.
If the chase is not already on, slowing down prevents the chase in the first place. They may growl and bark though.
It's only trained attack dogs, guard dogs that will commit to attacking a human holding ground.
If strays posed genuine danger the Taj Mahal hotel would have been out of business several decades ago. Instead of being a failed business it's one of the most esteemed hotels of India.
I know. That's human fear kicking in and it makes it worse. Try it once, success brings confidence. Your own anxiety around dogs might be making things worse for you.
If you search you will find that holding ground is the way to deal with any territorial dog pack, stray or not. It helps to have grown up with dogs around, then it becomes second nature.
Works with pack of hissing, charging monkeys too. Been there done that, well I charged back, rather than just holding ground. Walked away with my food in my possession.
No biker in Bangalore has time to play kicks and hits with street dogesh. Dogs may chase you at slightest disturbance even if you don't even look at them. You sound like one those "bhadralok" upper class pacifists.