Stray dog issues Rabies and Echinococcosis situation and management in Bulgaria Dr. Madlen Vasileva chief of department Animal Health, Animal Health and Food Safety Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture and Food AGR 46279 Workshop on welfare of companion and stray animals 17 18 October 2011 Belgrade
Stray dogs-problem background: 1. SOCIAL: - after the change of political system years of ignoring the problem - increase of the inhabitants in the towns - bad waste management 2. ECONOMICAL: - impoverishing - increasing inflation 3. MUNICIPAL POLICY 1998 2006 - policy to handle the problem with dogs mass killing. - Sofia - more than 70 000 dogs are killed. Funds over 2 500 000 Euro are spent. No results. 4. RESULTS OF THE MUNICIPAL POLICY IN 1998 2006 - poor reputation of the country in the EP and EC; - impossibility to work with NGOs; - commitment of the country to adopt Animal Protection Act.
Major factors of occurrence and later evolution of the stray dog problem The rapid increase of town populations; The drastic rise in the number of home pets kept under inappropriate conditions and uncontrolled reproduction (in villages, on parking places, on construction sites, etc.) no neutering and control the pregnancy abandon of the undesired offspring; The specifics of town environment permitting one easier way of finding food and asylum; The absence of adequate controls on domestic dogs; Throwing out domestic dogs and enabling them to migrate from rural villa zones into the towns, in order to get food; Abandoning animals due to lack of capacities to care for them.
Problem analyses, moral and emotional malnutrition diseases injuries caused by road accidents or fights abuse by humans cruel stray control measures inhabitants and tourists don t like the sight of hungry or dead dogs
road accidents Problem analyses, practical nuisance through noise, faeces, urine Zoonoses rabies, echinococcosis injuries and fear by aggressive behaviour damage to wildlife and livestock
3.10 ECHINOCOCCUS in humans ( The EFSA Journal 2010-1496 217) In 2008, a total of 891 confirmed cases of echinococcosis were reported in the EU. The highest notification rate was reported by Bulgaria, followed by Lithuania and Latvia. The community summary report on trends and sources of zoonoses and zoonotic agents and food-borne outbreaks in the European union in 2008 (Issued on 23 December 2009, Published on 28 January 2010, For citation purposes: The Community Summary Report on Trends and Sources of Zoonoses, Zoonotic Agents and food-borne outbreaks in the European Union in 2008, The EFSA Journal (2010), 1496.)
3.10 ECHINOCOCCUS in animals The EFSA Journal 2010-1496 220 In 2008, 17 MSs reported data from meat inspection at the slaughterhouse in farm animals In case of E. granulosus, Bulgaria reported the highest proportions of samples positive: 16.0%, 1.3% and 4.3% for cattle, pigs and sheep, respectively. Six MSs reported data on Echinococcus spp. in hunted foxes in 2008. The Czech Republic reported 32.0% of samples from foxes positive with Echinococcus spp., and Germany and France reported 18.5% and 19.2% of samples from foxes positive with E. multilocularis. Additionally, France, and Germany reported positive findings of E. multilocularis from the surveillance of dogs: 1 out of 797 and 195 samples, respectively. Also Switzerland reported positive findings from clinical investigations of dogs. However, foxes are considered the most important reservoir for E. multilocularis in MSs.
National Programme for Echinococcosis 2004 2008 Positive results Decreasing the positive humane cases from 543 in 2006 to 368 in 2008 г. Despite all the both humane and animal casses still have the highest notification rate in Bulgaria with the proportion of national disaster Despite all the both humane and animal casses still have Necessity Prolongation of the National Programme for Echinococcosis Financing the Programme Co-financing by EU
Rabies Before 1973 1896 - Rabies officially reported in Bulgaria. 1925 Cases in 140 settlements on the territory of the country. 1946 - Number of affected settlements increased to 1011 with 2285 Rabies cases in total. 1948 - Decree of the Parliament for control of Rabies entered into force requiring compulsory vaccination of domestic dogs. The measures are taken to decreased the stray dog population and also the number of yard dogs - in 1955 (1 000 000 to 120 000). 1955 - The affected regions are 10 with 15 Rabies cases in total. 1960-1973 1960-1973 - 140 cases of Rabies reported in South Bulgaria. (73% in dogs and 23% in livestock cattle, sheep and dogs). The period 1896 1973 Rabies was described as a classical form street rabies, main reservoir dogs. No data on other reservoirs of the infection in foxes and other wild animals. Date provided by Bulgarian Food Safety Agency Animal Health Directorate
Rabies 1974-19781978 1974 The first case of fox (sylvatic) Rabies. It was considered, the sylvatic Rabies penetrated in Bulgaria, in the regions of Silistra, Russe, Razgrad, from Romania The epizootic process started with an unusual high mortality rate and clinic signs in foxes and badgers in 21 settlements in Silistra region, 1 in Russe region, 3 in Shumen region, 1 in Razgrad region, 1 in Montana region. The mortality continued to 1978. 1979-1981 Epizootic process stopped, the reasons are unknown up to now. It is considered that it was the first time of spreading of the infection, the disease ended with mortality in 50% of the presented fox population. In the same time about 3 500 foxes were shot every year and by that their density was reduced and the possibility for direct contact between the foxes was decreased. Date provided by Bulgarian Food Safety Agency Animal Health Directorate
Year Total Livestock Dogs Cats Foxes Jackals Other 1988 84 39 3-42 - - 1989 78 38 2-37 - 1 1990 35 11 6-18 - - 1991 20 9 3-7 - 1 1992 23 16 - - 7 - - 1993 42 24 4-12 - 2 1994 14 10 - - 4 - - 1995 12 4 6-2 - - 1996 30 10 3 2 15 - - 1997 16 1 5-8 2-1998 9 4 1 1 2 1-1999 25 11 3-11 - - 2000 23 11 4 1 4 3-2001 61 7 7 4 38 4 2 2002 16 - - - 3 1 12 2003 17 3 2-10 - 2 2004 11 5-1 4-1 2005 12 2 1 2 5 1 1 2006 9 1 1 5 2 - - 2007 40-7 7 24 2-2008 49-6 4 33 6-2009 59 4 3 3 47 2-2010 Total: 6 692-210 (30,3%) 1 68 (9,8%) 3 33 (4,8%) 2 337(48,7%) - 22(3,2%) - 22(3,2%)
Rabies 2002-2010 18 regions 13 in Northern part, 5 in South Bulgaria. 219 cases in total - only 39 of them were in South Bulgaria. 2007 - Start of the Rabies cases in South Bulgaria. -As by 20 August 2007-5 cases reported in Sofia town region; 11 cases reported in Sofia-district region. - As by 31 March 2008-3 confirmed positive rabies cases in Kyustendil region. Date provided by Bulgarian Food Safety Agency Animal Health Directorate
The geographic particularities of the country 2. Spreading of Rabies in North Bulgaria Stara Planina mountain chain - a natural geographic barrier for the spread of rabies from north to south. Danube river a natural water frontier to the north between Bulgaria and Rumania (but there is a also a land border of 130 km length that could enable passage of animals). Black Sea - a natural geographic barrier of the eastern areas of the country. Mountainous relief - to the west between Bulgaria and Serbia and Macedonia (but there are some areas of plane relief (Northwest Bulgaria). As till now, there is not any individual administrative district in North Bulgaria, where there has not been any rabies case confirmed. Observations show that each year there are rabiescasesidentifiedinanaverageof6to7ofthetotalof14administrativedistrictsof North Bulgaria. Date provided by Bulgarian Food Safety Agency Animal Health Directorate
Rabies Epidemiological situation in the country 2007-2009 Year Regions Wild animals Domestic animals 2007 10 26 14 40 2008 15 39 10 49 2009 13 49 10 59 Total number
Rabies positive cases, 2010 Rabies positive cases, 2011 - n0ne Date provided by Bulgarian Food Safety Agency Animal Health Directorate Fox 2 Cat 3 Dog 1
Law on Veterinary Activities; Rabies Legislative framework Ordinance No. 23 (of 17.05.2002) on prophylaxis and control of rabies in animals; Order of the Minister of Agriculture and Food approving the national Programmes for Control and Eradication of Rabies on the territory of Republic of Bulgaria; Order No. RD 11-389 (of 24.04.2009) of the Director of the National Veterinary Service (NVS) establishing a Central Operational Centre and regional operational centres to organise and control the implementation of the Programme for oral vaccination of foxes against rabies.
Rabies Community Co-financing 2009 Commission Decision 2008/940 940/EC (approved by Commission Decision No. 2008/897/EC) /EC); Maximum amount of the Community financial contribution: 1 100 000,00 ; 2010 Commission Decision 2009/883/EC ; Commission Decision No. 2010/732/EC); Maximum amount of the Community financial contribution: 1 870 000 ; 2011 Commission Decision 2010/720/EC ; Maximum amount of the Community financial contribution: 1 800 000.
Oral Vaccination of foxes Started 2009 2 per year spring and autumn Should continue for 5 years and at least 2 years after the last rabies case By airplanes avoiding cities and lakes Up to 1200 m above sea level Speed of the airplane 150-200 КМ/h, at the attitude of 150-200 М above the ground and in parallel lines with 500 М between. Date provided by Bulgarian Food Safety Agency Animal Health Directorate
Oral Vaccination of foxes total area 63 000 km 2 Without the area of towns and lakes - 56 000 km 2 20 bites of vaccine per 1 km 2, LYSVULPEN Date provided by Bulgarian Food Safety Agency Animal Health Directorate
Date provided by Bulgarian Food Safety Agency Animal Health Directorate
Rabies Monitoring Laboratory control after vaccination: IFT - Identifying the presence of Vi; ELISA Ab - Identifying the presence of Ab against Rabies Vir; Tetracycline - Identifying the presence of tetracycline into the teeth /dentin./ 8 foxes should be tested per 100 km² Date provided by Bulgarian Food Safety Agency Animal Health Directorate
Rabies Conclusions (1) Bulgaria made an important step towards rabies control by launching ORV in 2009. Bulgarian authorities have established solid legal framework for the control of rabies following international guidelines, and collaboration between central/regional authorities and stakeholders. Bulgarian authorities together with NGOs have developed an impressive programme for reducing stray dog populations by ABC including neutering and implementation of national dog register and electronic identification of pet (owned) dogs. Bulgarian authorities made considerable efforts to decrease the incidence of rabies in domestic animals by strengthening controls on the implementation of mandatory vaccination of dogs. In the case of detection of rabies mandatory vaccination of all domestic animals is implemented in the affected area.
Rabies Conclusions (2) No human case of rabies has been reported for more than 40 years. NRL has established WHO/OIE recommended standard laboratory techniques for rabies surveillance and ORV monitoring. A new Agency for risk assessment has recently been set-up.
Animals Protection Law - 24.01.2008 Article 2. Executive and local government authorities, together with NGOs shall prepare and implement educational programs related to animal protection as well as animal keeping, breeding, training, and trading Article 3. Veterinary faculties shall conduct training for shelter personnel, for pet shop personnel and for transporters Article 4. Veterinarians Professional Organisation in Bulgaria, animal protection organisations, and animal farmers associations shall promote animal protection measures. mandatory vaccination of ALL dogs against rabies electronic identification of pet (owned) dogs national dog register - The data shall be entered by the veterinarian, who has placed the chip or tattoo.
Animals Protection Law - 24.01.2008 For every dog annual fee in the municipality No fee shall be paid for a dog with a microchip placed for the first year of its registration. Neutered dogs shall not pay the fee Any owner of a dog, kept for breeding purposes, shall be registered and shall pay a fee in the municipality.
Animals Protection Law - 24.01.2008 Implementation of national CNVR program Municipal program for stray dogs population management - elaboration of the program with NGO; - after of grace period till the end of 2015 withdrawal to shelters; - mass treatment through mobile clinics work with international organizations such as Four Paws Foundation; - register of treated animals; surveillance (deworming and revaccination by NGO or municipality) Municipality can gain money by: Fines for: - dog without registration - without a leash in public places - not cleaning after the dog Annual fee for every dog
Measures undertaken to control stray dogs population Municipal programmes for control of stray dogs populations in accordance with the Animal protection Act, including: Constructing and operating animal shelters at municipality level; Collect, Neuter and deworm; Vaccination against rabies core measure to fight rabies. Adoption programmes; Internet site; Return the unadopted dogs back on the places where caught, under the supervision of municipalities and relevant animal welfare (AW) NGOs to ensure relevant immune-prophylaxis activities; Cooperation and interactions between municipalities and relevant AW NGOs.
collect neuter Components national CNVR program Control over stray dog population vaccinate against rabies deworming return
Benefits animal birth control (CNVR) prevention spreading diseases (zoonoses) less bite incidences less road accidents humane long term solution reduction possible of 90 % in 5 years cheaper than kill or kennel accepted by citizens
Catch and kill policy fails aimed at the wrong group of dogs not all dogs can be caught after years of stringent killing reduction is insignificant never ending, therefore very costly number returns to carrying capacity increased migration increased spreading of diseases inhumane not accepted by citizens
Catch and shelter policy fails aimed at the wrong group of dogs not all dogs can be caught overcrowded shelters inhumane extremely costly corruption sensitive never ending number returns to carrying capacity increased migration increased spreading of diseases
THE SOLUTION: animal birth control (more efficient and economically advantageous approach)
Intensive dog vaccination There is no major example of canine rabies eradication without intensive dog vaccination. Furthermore, there is no major example that credibly demonstrates that killing dogs, or even eliminating free-roaming dog populations, contributed anything substantive to rabies eradication. It only opens the habitat niches to new generations of unvaccinated dogs, who may become rabies vectors if infected. Conversely, vaccinated dogs are not rabies vectors, regardless of where or how they live.
Sofia Municipal Policy Since September 2006 Pilot project 1. Castration, vaccination against rabies, deworming, permanent marking and return to places of healthy and non-aggressive homeless dogs. 2. Programmes for control and registration through permanent identification of domestic dogs. 3. Vaccination against rabies core measure to fight rabies. Training in Sofia Control over approach efficiency. - Beginning of 2006 more then 20 000 stray dogs. - - Summer of 2007 11 124 stray dogs - Summer of 2009-8 538 stray dogs. - - Sociological researches the problem has dropped from 3 to 9 place, the approach is publicly approved by a large part of metropolitan citizens. Conclusion: 23% decreasing the population within 2 years
Permanent marking and return to places of healthy and non-aggressive homeless dogs Identification methods for dogs and cats Guidance for WSPA staff and member societies
Return under supervision municipalities and relevant animal welfare (AW) NGOs to ensure relevant immune-prophylaxis activities
Public-private partnership dog population management unit in every municipality local governments NGO s (non-governmental organisations) local communities international bodies (WHO, OIE, WVA) veterinary authority private sector veterinarians
4 years after the Animal Protection Law The measures are well applied in the big towns of Bulgaria (Sofia Sofia, Burgas, Ruse, Dobrich, Varna, Vidin, Shumen), where substantial results of drop in stray dog populations could be observed. These towns might be highlighted also as such of very good and close cooperation between municipal bodies and relevant AW NGOs. Near every municipality has programme for control of stray dogs populations; 31 shelters Since the start of 2010, the National Electronic Data-base fоr registered dogs is already operational and ensures all the necessary means to establish and keep the national registrar of domestic dogs, and thus to improve substantially all the necessary controls on both domestic and stray dogs populations using the electronic chips as dog identification in order to trace the dogs back.
31 in the country in 2011 Adoption centers
Distribution of Information Education of owners Roma communities
Education children
Training municipalities The first training was organized by Ministry of agriculture and food for all the municipalities in 2011 In cooperation with NGO
Training veterinarians
Conclusions Public-private partnership The joint efforts of NGO, governmental institutions and the municipality would result in permanent and human solution of the problem.
(Scientific) Reports animal birth control
Removal and killing of dogs should never be considered as the most effective way of dealing with a problem of surplus dogs in the community: it has no effect whatsoever on the root cause of the problem. Guidelines for Dog Population Management, W.H.O. Geneva 1990 (page 74).
In the long term, control of reproduction is by far the most effective strategy of dog population management. Guidelines for Dog Population Management, W.H.O. Geneva 1990 (page 72).
CONTROLLING PET DOGS The role of central authorities Create a central database and clear rules of operation and access Training programs for owners Sanction unfair owners The role of local authorities Collecting an annual fee of registered pet Construction of places to walk Controlling owners The role of NGOs Expound(awareness) campaigns Assistance to central and local authorities dog handling help find funding contact with dog owners contact with animal lovers/dog wardens clinic & rehoming management
CONTROLLING PET DOGS Private veterinary practitioners advice to dog owners voucher scheme spay/neuter notify NVS in case of abuse or neglect share knowledge veterinary universities University of Forestry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Sofia) Stara Zagora-The Thracian University (Stara Zagora) Bulgarian Veterinary Union Inform the owners about the benefits of castration Castrations of preferential costs Explaining the benefits of identification and the need of registration
Control over stray dog population The role of central authority registration dogs (national database) financial aid to the municipalities responsible for implementation of animal protection law shelter standards Control functions Sanctions and penalties Control on pet trade The role of municipalities Programmes for stray dog population management Execution of the Programmes Waste management Control over the pet owners Building of castration centers and shelters
Components national CNVR program counting dogs public-private partnership central funding/eu grants legislation sales /marketing mobile/fixed clinics spay/neuter and vaccination (un)owned dogs euthanasia/abortion education dog owners, children, veterinarians, civil servants adoption centres/sanctuaries voucher scheme commercial veterinarians waste disposal management
EU grants Education Public health Twinning projects Co-financing of Animal health Programmes rabies, echinococcosis, ect.
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