The OIE international standards Stray dog population control OIE Regional Meeting on Animal Welfare Istanbul, July 16-17 17 2009 Paolo Dalla Villa IZS A&M G. G.Caporale -Teramo OIE Collaborating Centre for veterinary training,epidemiology,food ood 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)
Free-ranging ranging dog population encompasses both owned (unrestricted unsupervised) and ownerless (abandoned) dogs Several classification exists; stray, feral, abandoned, pariah, free-ranging, freeroaming, 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.
Free-ranging ranging dog population pose several problems in terms of human 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 lack of protection from adverse environmental factors insufficient feed resources exposure to adverse conditions and lack of veterinary care lack or deficient or inadequate zoonoses control programs invasion of environmental preserve areas damage 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
Photographic mark- recapture technique (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 population in Brasil (Molento,, 2008) Site Dog/human ratio Ctba/Vila Osternack 1:3,3 10 Vilas Rurais NO do PR 1:4,5 Araucária ria 1:4 Taboão da Serra 1:5,1 Araçatuba atuba 1:3,6 Serra Azul 1:5 Ibiúna 1:3,8 Ouro Preto 1:2,6 Argentina, Alte. Brown 1:4,0 México, Baja Califórnia 1:4,3
Stray dogs DOG POPULATION
At the same time the human population quadrupled in the last century and increases by 80 to 100 million people each year is relocating from rural to urban areas as one of the most demographic trends in the latter part of the 20 th century According to the UN the world s s urban population was 1.9 billion in 2000 and is expected to reach 5 billion by 2030
in Europe we are assisting to a global steady increase in the number of cats and dogs as companion animals pets are seen as true extensions of the family and people are willing to pay more for them 55 million households own a pet (41 million dogs) the pet food industry is an integral part of agri-food 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 (Patronek( & Rowan)
In 2005 OIE-World Animal Health Organization, decided to address the issue of humane methods for the control of dog populations An Ad hoc group was set up in order to produce science based guidelines, containing a set of measures, both effective and humane in limiting stray dog population and preventing zoonotic diseases in communities
To fully evaluate the problem and collect relevant data, a questionnaire on dog population control was distributed to all OIE countries the survey comprised 17 questions, divided into two sections; 1.General information on the dog population (presence,distribution and problems) 2.Stray dog control (presence of official control programmes, different methods employed)
Data were analysed and the respondent countries were divided in 3 subgroups according to the UN Human Development Index (HDI) This index measures the average achievements in a country in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to education and a decent standard of living (UN, 2007) 2 The Human Development Report divides countries into three different categories according to their HDI index: 42 high development countries (HDI 0.800) 29 medium development countries(0.800>hdi 0.500) 0.500) 6 low development countries (HDI < 0.500) (4 responding countries were not classified in HDI)
Are free roaming dogs a problem? Are free roaming dogs a problem? EUROPE (30 countries) No 40% Yes 47% In some areas 13%
If YES, please indicate the main problem(s) Nuisance Other diseases Rabies 1=most important/common 2=fairly important/uncommon 3=rare Bites/aggression 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 If YES, please indicate the main problem(s) EUROPE Nuisance Other diseases Rabies Bites/aggression 1=most important/common 2=fairly important/uncommon 3=rare 0 5 10 15
Are free roaming dogs a problem in the following areas? Wilderness areas 5% Big cities 19% More than one area 51% Small Tow n and villages 25% Are free roaming dogs a problem in the following areas? EUROPE More than one area 48% Wilderness areas 5% Big cities 26% Small Tow n and villages 21%
Is dog registration required by law? In some areas 44% No 9% Yes 47% Is dog registration required by law? EUROPE No 23% In some areas 3% Yes 74%
Is dog identification required by law? No 50% Yes 40% In some areas 10% Is dog identification required by law? EUROPE No 33% In some areas 7% Yes 60%
Are dog population control programs used? EUROPE No 37% In some areas 13% Yes 50% Are dog population control programs used? (14 EU countries that answered Yes to question "are free roaming dogs a problem?") In some areas 22% No 0% Yes 78%
Who manages dog population control programs?
Is it offficial policy to kill/euthanize free-roaming dogs? Is it official policy to kill/euthanize free-roaming dogs? EUROPE (countries with population control programs) No 37% Yes 42% In some areas 21%
what methods for killing/euthanasia?
The OIE guidelines on Stray Dog Population Control
Guiding principles Critical importance of promotion of responsible dog ownership Evidence that dog ecology lis inked to human behaviour Need to change human behaviour to be successful in stray dog population management programs
Art. 1 Definitions Stray dog (unattended owned dog, dog with no owner,feral dog) Owned dog Person (incl. families/households households, organization,community??) Responsible ownership Euthanasia Dog population control programme Carrying capacity (upper (upper limit of the dog population density supported by the habitat: resources & human acceptance)
Art. 2 Dog population control programme objectives Improve health and welfare of dogs Reduce the numbers of stray dogs to an acceptable level Reduce the risks of zoonosis and parasites Prevent harm to the environment Prevent illegal trade and trafficking
Art.3 Responsibilities and competencies Veterinary Authority (enforcement technical advice to prevent endemic zoonotic diseases) Other government agencies (public environment protection,, public safety) Private sector veterinarians (key role of legislation, (public health agency, key role in disease surveillance plans, diseases notification, animal abuse or mistreatment, responsible ownership promotion) NGOs (public awarenesss and understanding, resources atttraction, responsible ownership promotion & educatiion) Local government authorities (competencies on public health, environmental health & higyene, legislation enforcement & control, subsidised neutering schemes) Dog owners (satisfaction of physical and behavioural needs, public health and security, reproductive control, identification & registration) NGOs Local Dog
Municipalities, Local Authorities Public Veterinary Service Animal Welfare Associations National legislation Private vets Citizens Responsible ownership promotion & education Local resources University Media Dog population control programs National and Regional Government
Art.4 Considerations in planning a programme Identify the sources of stray dogs Estimating the existing number, distribution and ecology Legislation Resources available to authorities
Art.5 Control measures Education and legislation for responsible ownership Dog registration and identification Reproductive control Removal and handling Management of dogs removed from communities (housing standards,, community dogs, adoptions) Environmental controls Dog movement control (national( national, international) Regulation of commercial dog dealers Reduction in dog bites incidence (education,responsible ownership) Euthanasia
Art.6 Monitoring and evaluation of programmes To improve performance To demonstrate that the programme is achieving its aims To compare different strategies Indicators (dog population size and related subpopulations,, dog welfare,prevalence of zoonotic diseases,, people attitudes and behaviour) Sources of information questionnaires, focus groups, opinions,, direct observation) (surveys, expert
A case study ITALY
In 1991 Italy abandoned the catch and kill policy 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; Free roaming cats are protected on the territory as felines colonies ; Humane education and information programs must be promoted by Veterinary Authorities.
..still the problem continues to raise concerns in terms of human health, animal welfare and social costs
Lega Anti Vivisezione,, 2004 25% of owned pets (150.000 dogs & 200.000 cats) are abandoned every year 4.000 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 Italy (Ministry of Health, 2001) Campania 147.000 Emilia Romagna 102.000 Lazio 104.000 Calabria 81.700 Sardegna 80.000 Puglia 67.000
Dog population survey in Rome province, 2004 230.000 dogs in the households 100.000 stray dogs(free roaming or in shelters) 2 public shelters 19 private shelters contracted by Municipalities 53 on 120 Municipalities holds 2181 stray dogs in long term shelters, City of Rome alone holding 2500 Total of 1.990.162 Euros+ 3.100.000 Euros/year
Conclusions As a matter of fact several programmes have been implemented without real resolution in many 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, result in lasting, voluntary changes in behaviour it needs to be supplemented by a range of nonregulatory 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 beings contributing to the community quality of life
Thank you for your attention!