Dog Catching for Dummies Brian Faulkner

Dog-catcher 7 year child’s perception

Frequent Reality

Inhumane Handling Can happen at any point in the catching process, especially at:- Point of capture. Movement onto and off vehicles. Within the holding facility.

Main causes are Untrained staff. Unsuitable equipment. Unsuitable vehicles. Unsuitable holding facilities. No management accountability.

European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals Chapter III – Supplementary measures for stray animals Article 12 – Reduction of numbers When a Party considers that the numbers of stray animals present it with a problem, it shall take the appropriate legislative and/or administrative measures necessary to reduce their numbers in a way which does not cause avoidable pain, suffering or distress. Such measures shall include the requirements that: if such animals are to be captured, this is done with the minimum of physical and mental suffering appropriate to the animal;

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) issued guidelines in 2009. This requests all 177 member states to use only humane methods for stray dog control. OIE Guidelines:- The Competent Authority should collect dogs that are not under direct supervision and verify their ownership. Capture, transport, and holding ogf the dogs should be done humanely. The Competent Authority should develop and implement appropriate legislation and training to regulate these activities. Capture should be achieved with the minimum force requiredand equipment should be used that support humane handling. Uncovered wire loops should not be used for capture.

The Competent Authority should collect dogs that are not under direct supervision and verify their ownership. Capture, transport, and holding of the dogs should be done humanely. The Competent Authority should develop and implement appropriate legislation and training to regulate these activities. Capture should be achieved with the minimum force required and equipment should be used that support humane handling. Uncovered wire loops should not be used for capture. OIE Guidelines

Competent Authority Means the veterinary authority or other governmental authority of a member having the responsibility and competence for ensuring or supervising the implementation of animal health and welfare measures, international veterinary certification and other standards and recommendations in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

Minimum Force Capture should be achieved with the minimum force required and equipment should be used that support humane handling. Uncovered wire loops should not be used.

Uncovered wire loops should not be used

Minimum Force Reduces stress in both animal and catcher. Also minimises animal and human injuries.

Minimum Force

Intermediate Methods

Types of catching equipment Well socialised dogs can be caught on a simple slip leash. un-socialised (feral) dogs may need more specialist equipment e.g. traps; chemical capture. Whole range of equipment in between. Types of catching equipment

Generally only suitable for socialised dogs that are used to neck restraint. Friendly dog’s suitable to be carried may be leashed also, but not walked. Slip leads

Snares Useful for catching ‘free running’ dogs. Not suitable for long term restraint. Un-socialised dogs may react violently. Snares

Catch-poles (Graspers UK) Limited use for catching, but good for full restraint of aggressive dogs Can be highly dangerous in unskilled hands. Be aware of not over-tightening loop, watch for ‘blue tongue’. Catch-poles (Graspers UK)

Health Warning!! Catchpoles can seriously damage a dog’s health and are potentially lethal unless used correctly.

Socialised Dog Un-socialised Dog Catch-poles

Nets

Drive Nets

Hoop Nets

Pole Nets

Throw Nets

Live Traps Only live traps to be used, NOT LEGHOLD traps. Basically a cage with trip door and is baited with food (usually). Traps should be checked regularly whilst set & in place Live Traps

Manual Trapping

Chemical Capture Last Resort!! A method of remote capture of animals by use of drugs. Many problems are recognised with the use of chemical capture especially within the urban environment, therefore this method should never be considered the first choice but:- Last Resort!! Chemical Capture

Chemical Capture

Y poles Are a method of restraint for use in shelters or enclosed areas. Use of the Y pole is 75% psychological 25% physical. The dog is to perceive the pole as an extension of the handler. Y poles

Further things to consider Dog catching is not only about understanding types of equipment. A knowledge of basic dog behaviour, reading body language and how to approach a dog etc. is also required. Further things to consider

Approaching a dog Assess the situation & location. Approach dog slowly. Lower your body profile on approach. Side profile less threatening. Avoid direct eye contact. Keep equipment at your side or behind your back. Minimise talking. Do not forget food. Approaching a dog

Approaching a dog

Flight distance varies & is dependant upon sociability of an individual dog. Approaching a dog

socialised un-socialised Approaching a dog

Reducing fear

Learning what is and what is not a threat Habituation Habituation means that when something doesn't pose a threat to our safety, we get used to it. We learn to just put up with harmless stimuli rather than waste our energy reacting to it. For instance, if a person moves into a home near a railroad track and the vibration can be felt through the floor every time a train goes by, at first he or she may feel like something bad will happen, such as the vibration will cause people in the home to fall or an object to fall and break. After repeated exposure to the train's vibration when nothing bad ever happens, the person experiences habituation and no longer behaves in a worried manner when a train goes by the home. Habituation

Habituation

is an equal and opposite For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Newton’s 3rd law Restraint

Restraint

Incorrect approach Catching equipment highly visible. To much equipment being carried. To direct in approach. Dogs feel threatened. Incorrect approach

Zagreb

Conclusion Guidelines should be adopted that follow OIE standards. Appropriate equipment; vehicles and dog holding facilities should be available. Training should be provided for all staff employed in stray dog control. SOPs should be introduced and adhered to. Conclusion

Contact Details Brian Faulkner +44 (0)7778 457999 brian.faulkner2@gmail.com

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