Systematic approaches to Stray Systematic approaches to Stray Dog Population Control and the Dog Population Control and the planned OIE-Guidelines planned OIE-Guidelines

Bruxelles, October 8 Bruxelles, October 8

The current world population of The current world population of domestic dogs is estimated as 500 domestic dogs is estimated as 500 millions of animalsmillions of animals

A substantial, although unknown, A substantial, although unknown, proportion of it is poorly supervised proportion of it is poorly supervised or allowed to roam free,posing or allowed to roam free,posing serious public health, socio-serious public health, socio-economic, political, religious and economic, political, religious and animal welfare problems in many animal welfare problems in many countriescountries

Canine population varies among countries, as well as Canine population varies among countries, as well as geographic regions within the countries geographic regions within the countries

Geography, climate, availability of vital resources and Geography, climate, availability of vital resources and human attitudes towards dogshuman attitudes towards dogs dictate local dictate local abundance abundance

Attitudes towards dogsAttitudes towards dogs and reasons for keeping them and reasons for keeping them vary according to the culture, status, social interests, vary according to the culture, status, social interests, religious belief and economic activities of the peoplereligious belief and economic activities of the people

At the same time the human At the same time the human population………population………

quadrupled in the last century and increases quadrupled in the last century and increases by 80 to 100 million people each year by 80 to 100 million people each year

is relocating from rural to urban areas as one is relocating from rural to urban areas as one of the most demographic trends in the latter of the most demographic trends in the latter part of the 20part of the 20thth century century

According to the UN the world’s urban According to the UN the world’s urban population was 1.9 billion in 2000 and is population was 1.9 billion in 2000 and is expected to reach 5 billion by 2030expected to reach 5 billion by 2030

…………in Europein Europe

we are assisting to a global steady increase in the we are assisting to a global steady increase in the number of cats and dogs as companion animalsnumber of cats and dogs as companion animals

pets are seen as true extensions of the family and pets are seen as true extensions of the family and people are willing to pay more for thempeople are willing to pay more for them

55 million households own a pet (41 million dogs)55 million households own a pet (41 million dogs)

the pet food industry is an integral part of agri-food the pet food industry is an integral part of agri-food sector sector

Breakdown in the pet-owner relationship produces millions Breakdown in the pet-owner relationship produces millions of unwanted dogs annuallyof unwanted dogs annually

Other factors as economic impoverishment, war or civil Other factors as economic impoverishment, war or civil conflicts, migration and urban decay often results in the conflicts, migration and urban decay often results in the presence of high number of poorly supervised animals, presence of high number of poorly supervised animals, commonly defined as stray dogs commonly defined as stray dogs

As a matter of fact several programmes have been implemented As a matter of fact several programmes have been implemented without real resolution in many communities: without real resolution in many communities:

1. Limited eco-epidemilogical data;1. Limited eco-epidemilogical data;2. Inappropriate extrapolations of existing studies,lack of 2. Inappropriate extrapolations of existing studies,lack of understanding of different contexts;understanding of different contexts;4. Poor planning, no evaluation;4. Poor planning, no evaluation;5. Weak multidisciplinary and intersectorial collaboration;5. Weak multidisciplinary and intersectorial collaboration;6. Lack of resources.6. Lack of resources.

In 2005 OIE-World Animal Health Organization, In 2005 OIE-World Animal Health Organization, decided to address the issue of humane methods for decided to address the issue of humane methods for the control of dog populationsthe control of dog populations

An An Ad hoc groupAd hoc group was set up in order to produce was set up in order to produce science based guidelines, containing a set of science based guidelines, containing a set of measures, both effective and humane in limiting measures, both effective and humane in limiting stray dog population and preventing zoonotic stray dog population and preventing zoonotic diseases in communitiesdiseases in communities

To fully evaluate the problem and collect relevant To fully evaluate the problem and collect relevant data, a data, a questionnaire onquestionnaire on dog population controldog population control was distributed to all OIE countrieswas distributed to all OIE countries

the survey comprised 17 questions, divided into two the survey comprised 17 questions, divided into two sections;sections;1.General information on the dog population1.General information on the dog population(presence,distribution and problems)(presence,distribution and problems)2.Stray dog control2.Stray dog control(presence of official control programmes, different (presence of official control programmes, different methods employed)methods employed)

Data were analysed and the respondent countries were divided in 3 Data were analysed and the respondent countries were divided in 3 subgroups according to the UN Human Development Index (HDI)subgroups according to the UN Human Development Index (HDI)

This index measures the average achievements in a country in This index measures the average achievements in a country in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to education and a decent standard of living (UN, 2007) life, access to education and a decent standard of living (UN, 2007)

The Human Development Report divides countries into three The Human Development Report divides countries into three different categories according to their HDI index: different categories according to their HDI index:

42 high development countries (HDI ≥ 0.800)42 high development countries (HDI ≥ 0.800)

29 medium development countries(0.800>HDI≥0.500)29 medium development countries(0.800>HDI≥0.500)

6 low development countries (HDI < 0.500)6 low development countries (HDI < 0.500)

(4 responding countries were not classified in HDR)(4 responding countries were not classified in HDR)

Are free roaming dogs a problem?EUROPE (30 countries)

Yes47%

In some areas13%

No40%

Are free roaming dogs a problem?

0 5 10 15

Bites/aggression

Rabies

Other diseases

Nuisance

If YES, please indicate the main problem(s) EUROPE

1=most important/common

2=fairly important/uncommon

3=rare

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Bites/aggression

Rabies

Other diseases

Nuisance

If YES, please indicate the main problem(s)

1=most important/common

2=fairly important/uncommon

3=rare

Are free roaming dogs a problem in the following areas?

EUROPE

Wilderness areas5% Big cities

26%

Small Tow n and villages

21%

More than one area48%

Are free roaming dogs a problem in the following areas?

Wilderness areas5% Big cities

19%

Small Tow n and villages

25%

More than one area51%

Is dog registration required by law?EUROPE

No23%

In some areas3%

Yes74%

Is dog registration required by law?

No9%

In some areas44%

Yes47%

Is dog identification required by law?EUROPE

No33%

In some areas7%

Yes60%

Is dog identification required by law?

No50%

In some areas10%

Yes40%

Are dog population control programs used?(14 EU countries that answered Yes to question

"are free roaming dogs a problem?")

No0%

In some areas22%

Yes78%

Are dog population control programs used?EUROPE

No37%

In some areas13%

Yes50%

Who manages dog population control programs?

Is it official policy to kill/euthanize free-roaming dogs? EUROPE (countries w ith population control programs)

Yes42%

In some areas21%

No37%

Is it offficial policy to kill/euthanize free-roaming dogs?

what methods for killing/euthanasia?

The OIE guidelines on Stray Dog The OIE guidelines on Stray Dog Population ControlPopulation Control

Guiding principlesGuiding principles

Critical importance of promotion of Critical importance of promotion of responsible dog ownership responsible dog ownership

Evidence that dog ecology lis inked to Evidence that dog ecology lis inked to human behaviour human behaviour

Need to change human behaviour to be Need to change human behaviour to be successful in stray dog population successful in stray dog population management programsmanagement programs

Art. 1 DefinitionsArt. 1 Definitions

Stray dogStray dog Owned dogOwned dog PersonPerson Responsible ownershipResponsible ownership EuthanasiaEuthanasia Dog population control programmeDog population control programme Carrying capacityCarrying capacity

Art. 2 Dog population control programme Art. 2 Dog population control programme objectivesobjectives

Improve health and welfare of dogsImprove health and welfare of dogs Reduce the numbers of stray dogs to Reduce the numbers of stray dogs to

an acceptable levelan acceptable level Reduce the risks of zoonosis and Reduce the risks of zoonosis and

parasitesparasites Prevent harm to the environmentPrevent harm to the environment Prevent illegal trade and traffickingPrevent illegal trade and trafficking

Art.3 Responsibilities and competenciesArt.3 Responsibilities and competencies

Veterinary AuthorityVeterinary Authority Other government agencies Other government agencies (public (public

health, environment protection, public safety)health, environment protection, public safety)

Private sector veterinariansPrivate sector veterinarians (veterinary (veterinary professional organizations)professional organizations)

NGOsNGOs Local government authoritiesLocal government authorities Dog ownersDog owners

Art.4 Considerations in planning a programmeArt.4 Considerations in planning a programme

Identify the sources of stray dogsIdentify the sources of stray dogs Estimating the existing number, Estimating the existing number,

distribution and ecologydistribution and ecology LegislationLegislation Resources available to authoritiesResources available to authorities

Art.5 Control measuresArt.5 Control measures

Education and legislation for responsible ownershipEducation and legislation for responsible ownership Dog registration and identificationDog registration and identification Reproductive controlReproductive control Removal and handlingRemoval and handling Management of dogs removed from communities Management of dogs removed from communities

(housing standards, community dogs, adoptions)(housing standards, community dogs, adoptions) Environmental controlsEnvironmental controls Dog movement control (national, international)Dog movement control (national, international) Regulation of commercial dog dealersRegulation of commercial dog dealers Reduction in dog bites incidence (education,responsible Reduction in dog bites incidence (education,responsible

ownership)ownership) EuthanasiaEuthanasia

Art.6 Monitoring and evaluation of programmesArt.6 Monitoring and evaluation of programmes

To improve performanceTo improve performance To demonstrate that the programme is To demonstrate that the programme is

achieving its aimsachieving its aims To compare different strategiesTo compare different strategies Indicators Indicators (dog population size and related (dog population size and related

subpopulations, dog welfare ,prevalence of subpopulations, dog welfare ,prevalence of zoonotic diseases, people attitudes and zoonotic diseases, people attitudes and behaviour)behaviour)

Sources of information Sources of information (surveys, (surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, expert opinions, questionnaires, focus groups, expert opinions, direct observation)direct observation)

In 1991 Italy abandoned the In 1991 Italy abandoned the “catch and kill” policy“catch and kill” policy

A framework law was released for “ the protection of A framework law was released for “ the protection of pets and the prevention of animal abandonment”pets and the prevention of animal abandonment”

All dogs must be individually identified and registered All dogs must be individually identified and registered by veterinary services;by veterinary services;

Killing captured dogs is forbidden unless they are Killing captured dogs is forbidden unless they are “seriously or incurably ill or proven to be dangerous”“seriously or incurably ill or proven to be dangerous”

Captured dogs, if not reunited to the owner, have to be Captured dogs, if not reunited to the owner, have to be neutered, identified and kept for adoption in a public neutered, identified and kept for adoption in a public long term shelterlong term shelter

Humane education and information programs must be Humane education and information programs must be promoted by NHSpromoted by NHS

Free roaming cats are protected on the territory as Free roaming cats are protected on the territory as “felines colonies”“felines colonies”

………………..still the problem continues to ..still the problem continues to raise concerns in terms of human raise concerns in terms of human health, animal welfare and social health, animal welfare and social costscosts

Lega Anti Vivisezione, 2004Lega Anti Vivisezione, 2004

25% of owned pets (150.000 dogs & 25% of owned pets (150.000 dogs & 200.000 cats) are abandoned every year200.000 cats) are abandoned every year

4.000 car accidents due to stray pets in 4.000 car accidents due to stray pets in the last 10 years (200 casualties)the last 10 years (200 casualties)

800.000 is the estimated population of 800.000 is the estimated population of stray dogs stray dogs

1.300.000 is the estimated population of 1.300.000 is the estimated population of stray catsstray cats

(Since 1979 the Italian canine population had (Since 1979 the Italian canine population had a yearly increase rate of 4-5%) a yearly increase rate of 4-5%)

816.610 stray dogs in Italy816.610 stray dogs in ItalyMinistry of Health,2001Ministry of Health,2001

Campania 147.000Campania 147.000Emilia Romagna 102.000Emilia Romagna 102.000Lazio 104.000Lazio 104.000Calabria 81.700Calabria 81.700Sardegna 80.000Sardegna 80.000Puglia 67.000Puglia 67.000

Dog population survey in Rome Dog population survey in Rome province, 2004province, 2004

230.000 dogs in the households230.000 dogs in the households 100.000 stray dogs(free roaming or in 100.000 stray dogs(free roaming or in

shelters)shelters) 2 public shelters2 public shelters 19 private shelters contracted by 19 private shelters contracted by

Municipalities Municipalities 53 on 120 Municipalities holds 2181 stray 53 on 120 Municipalities holds 2181 stray

dogs in dogs in long term shelterslong term shelters, City of , City of Rome alone holding 2500Rome alone holding 2500

Total of 1.990.162 Euros+ 3.100.000 Total of 1.990.162 Euros+ 3.100.000 Euros/yearEuros/year

ConclusionsConclusions

enforcement of laws will not, on its own, result enforcement of laws will not, on its own, result in lasting, voluntary changes in behaviourin lasting, voluntary changes in behaviour

it needs to be supplemented by a range of non-it needs to be supplemented by a range of non-

regulatory approaches such as public educationregulatory approaches such as public education

    Educational projects should support the communities Educational projects should support the communities who are developing resources to fit the needs of who are developing resources to fit the needs of their local education system:their local education system:

to promote a to promote a balanced approachbalanced approach that will both that will both benefit dogs and their owners but also the wider benefit dogs and their owners but also the wider community community   to to create an environmentcreate an environment which encourages which encourages responsible pet ownership, where people and pets responsible pet ownership, where people and pets integrate safely and harmoniously within the integrate safely and harmoniously within the community community   to recognise that to recognise that companion animals are companion animals are sentient beingssentient beings contributing to the community contributing to the community quality of lifequality of life

Legislation

ResponsibleOwnership (birth control, registration)

Animal welfarepromotion and

humane education

Stray dog population control programs

Media

Animal WelfareAssociations

Public Veterinary Service

Private vets

University

National and RegionalGovernment

Citizens

Municipalities, Local Authorities

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!