1. 1 The OIE standard for stray dog population control International Trade Department Workshop on regional cooperation on animal welfare Amman (Jordan) 4-6 October 2009

2. 2 The canine population varies among countries, and among regions/areas within the same country. Geography, climate, availability of resources and human attitude towards dogs are key factors. (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) Introduction (1)

3. 3 The world population of domestic dogs is currently estimated at 500 million (Matter & Daniels, 2000). Breakdown in the pet-owner relationship produces millions of unwanted dogs annually. (Kassand Hart, 1998) Introduction (2)

4. 4 Other relevant factors include poverty, war & civil conflict, migration and urban decay, which can result in the presence of many poorly supervised animals “stray dogs ” (Matter and. Daniels, 2000) Introduction (3)

5. 5 ‘Free-ranging dog population’ includes owned and ownerless dogs  Terminology includes: stray, feral, abandoned, pariah, free-ranging, free-roaming, family dogs, neighbourhood dogs, block dogs, community dogs.  There are real ecologic differences between these different classes of free-ranging dog. Introduction (4)

6. 6 Free-ranging dogs pose several problems for human health……..  zoonoses (rabies, echinococcosis, leishmaniosis)  environmental pollution (e.g. noise, faeces)  nuisance behaviour (noise, chasing vehicles)  traffic accidents  attack and injury of people The Problem (1)

7. 7.. and animal welfare adverse environmental factors insufficient food lack of veterinary care inadequate zoonoses control invasion of environmental preserves risk to farm animals and wildlife The Problem (2)

8. 8 The classification of dogs as “pets” or “stray” is often 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 coexistence and tolerance, to symbiosis. Human attitudes directly affect dog ecology and vary between areas of the city, different streets and even within one street. The Problem (3)

9. 9 In 1986 WHO called for comprehensive studies of dog populations and their ecology to support effective planning and implementation of canine rabies control programs and to evaluate control measures already applied The Problem (4)

10. 10  WHO dog/human ratio 1/10  75% of the dog population is allowed to roam free The Problem (5)

11. 11 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: a key demographic trend in the latter part of the 20 th century. According to the UN the global urban population was 1.9 billion in 2000 and is expected to reach 5 billion by 2030 The Problem (6)

12. 12 In Europe:  there is a steady increase in the number of cats and dogs as companion animals.  pets are seen as extensions of the family and people are willing to pay more for them  55 million households own a pet (41 million  pet food is an integral part of the agri food industry The Problem (7)

13. 13 Approximately 15 million dogs are abandoned or released to shelters annually (Moulton et al.,1991) The Problem (8) In the USA:

14. 14

15. 15 In 2005 the OIE started to address the issue of humane control of stray dog populations. An ad hoc group was set up to produce science based measures for the effective and humane control of stray dog populations, to help in preventing zoonotic diseases and to improve animal welfare. The OIE and Stray Dog Population Control

16. 16 Stray Dog Population Control Chapter 7.7. Terrestrial Animal Health Code http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mcode/en_chapitre_1.7.7.htm

17. 17 Guiding principles (Art. 7.7.1)  Critical importance of responsible ownership  Dog environment is linked to human behaviour  Need to change human behaviour for success in controlling stray dog populations.

18. 18 Definitions (Art. 7.7.2)  Stray dog unattended owned dog, dog with no owner, feral dog  Owned dog  ‘Person’: includes families/households, organisation, community  Responsible ownership  Euthanasia  Dog population control programme  Carrying capacity (upper limit of the dog population density supported by the habitat : resources & human acceptance)

19. 19 Programme objectives (Art. 7.7.3)  Improve health and and welfare of dogs  Reduce number of stray dogs to acceptable level  Reduce the risks of zoonoses and parasites  Prevent harm to the environment  Prevent illegal trade and trafficking

20. 20 Responsibilities and competencies (Art. 7.7.4)  Veterinary Authority (enforcement of legislation, technical advice to prevent endemic zoonotic diseases)  Other government agencies (public health agency, environment protection, public safety )  Private sector veterinarians (key role in disease surveillance plans, diseases notification, animal abuse or mistreatment, responsible ownership promotion)  NGOs (public awareness and understanding, resources, responsible ownership promotion & education)

21. 21 Responsibilities and competencies (Art. 7.7.4) (2)  Local government authorities (public health, environmental health & hygiene, legislation enforcement & control, subsidised neutering schemes)  Dog owner (satisfaction of physical and behavioural needs of dog, public health and security, control of reproduction, identification, registration)

22. 22 Considerations in planning programme (Art. 7.7.5)  Identify sources of stray dogs  Estimate the number, distribution and ecology.  Legislation  Resources available to authorities

23. 23 Control measures (Art. 7.7. 6)  Education & legislation: responsible ownership  Dog registration and identification  Control of reproduction  Removal and handling  Management of dogs removed from communities (housing standards, community dogs, adoption)

24. 24 Control measures (Art. 7.7. 6) (2)  Environmental controls  Dog movement control (national..international)  Regulation of commercial dog dealers  Reduction in dog bite incidence (education, responsible ownership)  Euthanasia – list of methods

25. 25 Control measures (Art. 7.7. 6) (3)  Euthanasia – list of methods (Table 1 includes the animal welfare concerns and the advantages and disadvantages for each method) Euthanasia methodSpecific method Chemical – via injection Barbiturates Embutramide +Mebezonium +Tetracaine Anaesthetic agent overdose (thiopentone or propofenol) Potassium chloride (KCl) MechanicalFree bullet Penetrating captive bolt followed by pithing where necessary to ensure death Exsanguination

26. 26 Control measures (Art. 7.7. 6) (4)  Euthanasia – list of methods (Table 1 includes the animal welfare concerns and the advantages and disadvantages for each method) contd. Euthanasia method Specific method GaseousCarbon monoxide (CO) Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) Inert gas (nitrogen, N 2 argon, Ar) Anaesthetic gas overdose (halothane or enflurane) ElectricalElectrocution

27. 27 Monitoring and evaluation of programmes (Art. 7.7.7).  To improve performance  To demonstrate achievement of goals  To compare different strategies  Indicators (dog population size and related subpopulations, dog welfare, prevalence of zoonotic diseases, human attitudes and behaviour)  Sources of information (surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, expert opinions, direct observation )

28. 28 Conclusions (1)  OIE standards are a reference for national government policy, for consideration by national/provincial/state veterinary services  Enforcement of laws will not, on its own, result in lasting changes. Non-regulatory approaches (eg public education, raising awareness) are also needed.

29. 29 Conclusions (2) Educational projects should meet the needs of communities:  promote a balanced approach that will benefit dogs, their owners and the community in general  encourage responsible pet ownership  recognise that companion animals are sentient beings and contribute to quality of life within a community

30. 30 With thanks to: Dr. Paolo Dalla Villa IZS A&M ““ G.Caporale Caporale ”” -Teramo OIE Collaborating Centre for veterinary training,epidemiology, food safety and animal welfare

31. 31 Thank you for your attention

32. 32 Organisation Mondiale de la Santé Animale World Organisation for Animal Health Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal 12 rue de Prony, 75017 Paris, France - www.oie.int – oie@oie.intwww.oie.int