Systematic approaches to Stray Dog Population Control and the planned OIE-Guidelines Bruxelles, October 8

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

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

Canine population varies among countries, as well as geographic regions within the countries Geography, climate, availability of vital resources and human attitudes towards dogs dictate local abundance Attitudes towards dogs and reasons for keeping them vary according to the culture, status, social interests, religious belief and economic activities of the people

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 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

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

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.

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) 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) 6 low development countries (HDI HDI≥0.500) 6 low development countries (HDI < 0.500) (4 responding countries were not classified in HDR)

Are free roaming dogs a problem?

Who manages dog population control programs?

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

what methods for killing/euthanasia?

The OIE guidelines on Stray Dog Population Control

Guiding principles Guiding principles Critical importance of promotion of responsible dog ownership Critical importance of promotion of responsible dog ownership Evidence that dog ecology lis inked to human behaviour Evidence that dog ecology lis inked to human behaviour Need to change human behaviour to be successful in stray dog population management programs Need to change human behaviour to be successful in stray dog population management programs

Art. 1 Definitions Stray dog Stray dog Owned dog Owned dog Person Person Responsible ownership Responsible ownership Euthanasia Euthanasia Dog population control programme Dog population control programme Carrying capacity Carrying capacity

Art. 2 Dog population control programme objectives Improve health and welfare of dogs Improve health and welfare of dogs Reduce the numbers of stray dogs to an acceptable level Reduce the numbers of stray dogs to an acceptable level Reduce the risks of zoonosis and parasites Reduce the risks of zoonosis and parasites Prevent harm to the environment Prevent harm to the environment Prevent illegal trade and trafficking Prevent illegal trade and trafficking

Art.3 Responsibilities and competencies Veterinary Authority Veterinary Authority Other government agencies (public health, environment protection, public safety) Other government agencies (public health, environment protection, public safety) Private sector veterinarians (veterinary professional organizations) Private sector veterinarians (veterinary professional organizations) NGOs NGOs Local government authorities Local government authorities Dog owners Dog owners

Art.4 Considerations in planning a programme Identify the sources of stray dogs Identify the sources of stray dogs Estimating the existing number, distribution and ecology Estimating the existing number, distribution and ecology Legislation Legislation Resources available to authorities Resources available to authorities

Art.5 Control measures Education and legislation for responsible ownership Education and legislation for responsible ownership Dog registration and identification Dog registration and identification Reproductive control Reproductive control Removal and handling Removal and handling Management of dogs removed from communities (housing standards, community dogs, adoptions) Management of dogs removed from communities (housing standards, community dogs, adoptions) Environmental controls Environmental controls Dog movement control (national, international) Dog movement control (national, international) Regulation of commercial dog dealers Regulation of commercial dog dealers Reduction in dog bites incidence (education,responsible ownership) Reduction in dog bites incidence (education,responsible ownership) Euthanasia Euthanasia

Art.6 Monitoring and evaluation of programmes To improve performance To improve performance To demonstrate that the programme is achieving its aims To demonstrate that the programme is achieving its aims To compare different strategies To compare different strategies Indicators (dog population size and related subpopulations, dog welfare,prevalence of zoonotic diseases, people attitudes and behaviour) Indicators (dog population size and related subpopulations, dog welfare,prevalence of zoonotic diseases, people attitudes and behaviour) Sources of information (surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, expert opinions, direct observation) Sources of information (surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, expert opinions, direct observation)

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  Humane education and information programs must be promoted by NHS  Free roaming cats are protected on the territory as “felines colonies”

………..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 ( dogs & cats) are abandoned every year  car accidents due to stray pets in the last 10 years (200 casualties)  is the estimated population of stray dogs  is the estimated population of stray cats (Since 1979 the Italian canine population had a yearly increase rate of 4-5%)

stray dogs in Italy Ministry of Health,2001  Campania  Emilia Romagna  Lazio  Calabria  Sardegna  Puglia

Dog population survey in Rome province, 2004  dogs in the households  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 Euros Euros/year

Conclusions enforcement of laws will not, on its own, result in 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 beings contributing to the community quality of life 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

Legislation Responsible Ownership (birth control, registration) Animal welfare promotion and humane education Stray dog population control programs Media Animal Welfare Associations Public Veterinary Service Private vets University National and Regional Government Citizens Municipalities, Local Authorities

Thank you for your attention!