The OIE The OIE international standardsinternational standardsStray Stray dog dog population population controlcontrol

OIE OIE RegionalRegional Meeting on Meeting on Animal WelfareAnimal WelfareIstanbulIstanbul, , JulyJuly 1616--17 200917 2009

Paolo Paolo DallaDalla VillaVillaIZS A&M IZS A&M ““G.G.CaporaleCaporale””--TeramoTeramoOIE Collaborating Centre for veterinary training ,epidemiology,fOIE Collaborating Centre for veterinary training ,epidemiology,food safety and animal welfareood safety and animal welfare

Canine population varies among countries, as well as different regions/areas within the same country

Geography, climate, availability of vital resources and human attitudes towards dogs dictate local abundance(Wandeler et al., 1993)

Attitudes towards dogs and reasons for keeping them vary according to the culture, status, social interests, religious belief and economic activities of the people(Matter and Daniels, 2000)

The current world population of domestic dogs is estimated as 500 millions of animals (Matter & Daniels, 2000)

Breakdown in the pet-owner relationship produces millions of unwanted dogs annually (Kass and Hart, 1998)

Other factors as economic impoverishment, war or civil conflicts, migration and urban decay often results in the presence of high number of poorly supervised animals, commonly defined as “stray dogs” (Matter and. Daniels, 2000)

FreeFree--ranging dog population encompasses both owned ranging dog population encompasses both owned (unrestricted unsupervised) and ownerless (abandoned) (unrestricted unsupervised) and ownerless (abandoned) dogsdogs

Several classification exists; stray, feral, abandoned, pariah, free-ranging, free-roaming, family dogs, neighbourhood dogs, block dogs, community dogs.

This apparent semantic distinction as to be taken into account for the real ecologic differences associated with the different classes.

FreeFree--ranging dog population ranging dog population pose pose several problemsseveral problems inin termsterms ofofhuman healthhuman health……..

zoonoses(rabies,echinococcosis,leishmaniosis)

environmental pollution (e.g. noise, faeces)

nuisance behaviour (noise, chasing vehicles)

traffic accidents attack and injury to people

.. and animal welfare.. and animal welfare

lack of protection from adverse environmental factors insufficient feed resourcesexposure to adverse conditions and lack of veterinary care lack or deficient or inadequate zoonoses control programsinvasion of environmental preserve areasdamage and threaten to farm animals and wildlife

In many countries the classification of dogs as either “pets” or “stray” is oversimplified and inappropriate for many urban areas.

People may have a wide range of relationships with street dogs, from avoidance due to fear or dislike, through to coexistence and tolerance, to symbiosis.

Such attitudes directly affects dog ecology and vary between areas of the city, different

streets and even within the same street.

In 1986 WHO recommended that comprehensive studies of dog populations an their ecology be conducted to provide background information for effective for effective planning and implementation of canine rabies control programs, as well as to evaluate control measures already applied

OMS dog/human ratio 1/10

75% of the dog population is allowed to roam free

PhotographicPhotographic markmark-- recapture techniquerecapture technique(A. Beck)(A. Beck)

Free ranging dog population in:

Baltimore (1973) 232 dogs/km 2

Newark (1983) 154 dogs/km 2

Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua (1989) 735 dogs/km 2

Navajo Reservation (1989) 330 dogs/km 2

Dog Dog population population in in BrasilBrasil((MolentoMolento, 2008), 2008)

SiteSite Dog/human Dog/human ratioratio

Ctba/Vila OsternackCtba/Vila Osternack 1:3,31:3,3

10 Vilas Rurais 10 Vilas Rurais –– NO do NO do PRPR 1:4,51:4,5

AraucAraucááriaria 1:41:4

Taboão da SerraTaboão da Serra 1:5,11:5,1

AraAraççatubaatuba 1:3,61:3,6

Serra AzulSerra Azul 1:51:5

IbiIbiúúnana 1:3,81:3,8

Ouro PretoOuro Preto 1:2,61:2,6

Argentina, Alte. BrownArgentina, Alte. Brown 1:4,01:4,0

MMééxico, Baja Califxico, Baja Califóórniarnia 1:4,31:4,3

Stray dogs

DOG POPULATION

At the same time the human At the same time the human populationpopulation………………

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

According to the UN the worldAccording to the UN the world’’s urban 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 the pet food industry is an integral part of agriagri--food food sector sector

Approximately 15 millions dogs are either turned out as strays or released to animal welfare agencies by their owners in the US each year (Moulton P. et al.,1991)

Anthrozoos,1995 (Anthrozoos,1995 (PatronekPatronek & Rowan)& Rowan)

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

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

To fully evaluate the problem and To fully evaluate the problem and collect relevant data, a collect relevant data, a questionnaire onquestionnaire on dog population dog population controlcontrol was distributed to all OIE was distributed to all OIE countries the survey comprised 17 countries the survey comprised 17 questions, divided into two sections;questions, divided into two 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, (presence of official control programmes, different methods employed)different methods employed)

Data were analysed and the respondent countries were divided in Data were analysed and the respondent countries were divided in 3 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 healththree basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy y life, access to education and a decent standard of living (UN, 2life, access to education and a decent standard of living (UN, 2007) 007)

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

29 medium development countries(0.800>HDI29 medium development countries(0.800>HDI≥≥0.500)0.500)

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

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

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/common2=fairly important/uncommon3=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/common2=fairly important/uncommon3=rare

Are free roaming dogs a problem in the following areas?

EUROPEWilderness

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 The OIE guidelinesguidelines on on Stray Stray Dog Dog PopulationPopulation ControlControl

GuidingGuiding principlesprinciples

CriticalCritical importanceimportance of promotion of of promotion of responsibleresponsible dog dog ownership ownership EvidenceEvidence thatthat dog dog ecologyecology lis inked tolis inked tohuman behaviour human behaviour Need to changeNeed to change human behaviour to be human behaviour to be successful successful in in straystray dog dog population population management management programsprograms

Art. 1 Art. 1 DefinitionsDefinitions

StrayStray dog dog ((unattended owned unattended owned dog, dog dog, dog with with no no ownerowner,,feral feral dog)dog)

OwnedOwned dogdogPerson Person ((inclincl.. familiesfamilies//householdshouseholds, , organizationorganization,community??),community??)

ResponsibleResponsible ownershipownershipEuthanasiaEuthanasiaDog Dog populationpopulation control control programme programme CarryingCarrying capacity capacity (upper (upper limit limit of the dog of the dog population population density density supported by supported by the habitat:the habitat: resourcesresources & & human acceptancehuman acceptance))

Art. 2 Dog Art. 2 Dog populationpopulation control control programmeprogrammeobjectivesobjectives

ImproveImprove healthhealth and and welfarewelfare of of dogsdogsReduce the Reduce the numbersnumbers of of straystray dogs to dogs to an acceptable levelan acceptable levelReduce the Reduce the risksrisks of of zoonosiszoonosis and and parasitesparasitesPreventPrevent harmharm toto the the environmentenvironmentPreventPrevent illegalillegal tradetrade and and traffickingtrafficking

Art.3Art.3 ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities and and competenciescompetencies

VeterinaryVeterinary Authority Authority ((enforcement enforcement of of legislationlegislation, , technical advice to prevent endemic zoonotic diseasestechnical advice to prevent endemic zoonotic diseases))

OtherOther governmentgovernment agenciesagencies (public (public healthhealth agencyagency, , environmentenvironment protectionprotection, public , public safetysafety))

Private Private sectorsector veterinariansveterinarians ((key role key role in in disease disease surveillance planssurveillance plans, , diseases notificationdiseases notification, , animal abuse animal abuse or or mistreatmentmistreatment, , responsible ownership responsible ownership promotion)promotion)

NGOs NGOs (public (public awarenesss awarenesss and and understandingunderstanding, , resources resources atttractionatttraction,, responsible ownershipresponsible ownership promotion & promotion & educatiioneducatiion))

LocalLocal governmentgovernment authoritiesauthorities ((competencies competencies on on public public healthhealth, , environmental healthenvironmental health & & higyenehigyene, , legislation enforcement legislation enforcement & control, & control, subsidised neuteringsubsidised neutering schemesschemes))

Dog Dog owners owners ((satisfaction satisfaction of of physical physical and and behavioural needsbehavioural needs, , public public health health and and securitysecurity, , reproductive reproductive control,control, identificationidentification & & registrationregistration))

National legislation

Local resources“Responsibleownership”

promotion & education

Dog population control programs

Media

Animal WelfareAssociations

Public Veterinary Service

Private vets

University

National and RegionalGovernment

Citizens

Municipalities, Local Authorities

Art.4Art.4 ConsiderationsConsiderations in planning a in planning a programmeprogramme

IdentifyIdentify the the sourcessources of of straystray dogsdogsEstimatingEstimating the the existingexisting numbernumber, , distributiondistribution and and ecologyecologyLegislationLegislationResourcesResources availableavailable toto authoritiesauthorities

Art.5 Control Art.5 Control measuresmeasures

EducationEducation and and legislationlegislation forfor responsible ownershipresponsible ownershipDog Dog registrationregistration and and identificationidentificationReproductiveReproductive controlcontrolRemovalRemoval and handlingand handlingManagement of Management of dogsdogs removedremoved fromfrom communitiescommunities((housinghousing standardsstandards, community , community dogsdogs, , adoptionsadoptions))EnvironmentalEnvironmental controlscontrolsDog Dog movementmovement control (control (nationalnational, , internationalinternational))RegulationRegulation of commercial dog of commercial dog dealersdealersReductionReduction in dog in dog bitesbites incidence incidence ((educationeducation,,responsible responsible ownershipownership))EuthanasiaEuthanasia

Art.6Art.6 MonitoringMonitoring and and evaluation evaluation of of programmesprogrammes

ToTo improveimprove performanceperformanceToTo demonstratedemonstrate thatthat the the programmeprogrammeisis achievingachieving itsits aimsaimsToTo compare compare differentdifferent strategiesstrategiesIndicatorsIndicators (dog (dog populationpopulation sizesize and and relatedrelatedsubpopulationssubpopulations, dog , dog welfarewelfare ,,prevalenceprevalence of of zoonoticzoonotic diseasesdiseases, people , people attitudesattitudes and and behaviourbehaviour))

SourcesSources of of informationinformation ((surveyssurveys, , questionnairesquestionnaires, , focusfocus groupsgroups, , expertexpertopinionsopinions, direct , direct observationobservation))

A case A case studystudy

ITALYITALY

In 1991 Italy abandoned the In 1991 Italy abandoned the ““catch catch and killand kill”” policypolicy

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

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

Killing captured dogs is forbidden unless they are “seriously or incurably ill or proven to be dangerous”;Captured dogs, if not reunited to the owner, have to be neutered, identified and kept for adoption in a public long term shelter;

Humane education and information programs must be promoted by Veterinary Authorities.

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

………..still the problem continues toraise concerns in terms of humanhealth, animal welfare and social costs

LegaLega Anti Anti VivisezioneVivisezione, 2004, 2004

25% of owned pets (150.000 dogs & 200.000 cats) are abandoned every year4.000 car accidents due to stray pets in the last 10 years (200 casualties)800.000 is the estimated population of stray dogs 1.300.000 is the estimated population of stray cats

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

816.610 stray dogs in Italy816.610 stray dogs in Italy(Ministry of Health, 2001)(Ministry of Health, 2001)

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

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

230.000 dogs in the households100.000 stray dogs(free roaming or in shelters)2 public shelters19 private shelters contracted by Municipalities 53 on 120 Municipalities holds 2181 stray dogs in long term shelters, City of Rome alone holding 2500Total of 1.990.162 Euros+ 3.100.000 Euros/year

ConclusionsConclusions

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

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

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

it needs to be supplemented by a range of non-

regulatory approaches such as public education

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

to promote a balanced approach that will both benefit dogs and their owners but also the wider community

to create an environment which encourages responsible pet ownership, where people and pets integrate safely and harmoniously within the community

to recognise that companion animals are sentient beingscontributing to the community quality of life

Thank youThank you forfor youryour attentionattention!!