Key Findings
Nearly 40% of respondents feed FRD, with many feeling a strong emotional attachment to the dogs.
Overall, attitudes toward FRD are mixed—while most people view them as part of the community, vulnerable, and deserving of life on the streets, they also see them as a menace, nuisance, and frightening.
Despite recognizing the need to reduce the FRD population, over half of owned dogs in Goa remain unsterilized, and more than 80% are free-roaming, highlighting the need for improved education on responsible dog ownership.
Summary
India’s domestic dog population, estimated at 118.9 million, largely comprises free-roaming dogs (FRD), which pose major public health and safety risks. The FRD population is fueled by irresponsible dog ownership, uncontrolled breeding, and indiscriminate food waste disposal. FRDs spread infections like rabies, resulting in an estimated 20,000 rabies-related deaths annually in India. Noise disturbances, traffic accidents, and wildlife attacks further aggravate the situation. While Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs offer a humane alternative to culling, challenges remain, and more research is needed to understand public perceptions of FRDs to address misconceptions and improve management efforts.
This study, “Community Attitudes and Perceptions towards Free-Roaming Dogs in Goa, India,” explores how the public in Goa perceives the FRD population. A community-based survey, conducted over three months in 2019, included 1,141 participants, with respondents from municipalities (33%), towns (34%), and villages (32%).
Survey Results
Dog Ownership
66% of respondents reported not owning a dog.
Among dog owners, 29% were in municipalities, 40% in towns, and 33% in villages. Over 90% of respondents viewed their dogs as part of the family, though 39% believed they could easily replace their dogs if they died.
A gender bias was evident, as 72% of dogs were male, often preferred for guarding purposes and to avoid issues associated with unplanned litter. This preference resulted in the abandonment of many female dogs and puppies. With 53% of dogs unsterilized and 80% at least occasionally free-roaming, these factors significantly contributed to the growing FRD population.
FRD Feeding
37% of respondents fed FRD, with minimal differences between municipalities, towns, and villages. Hindu respondents (41%) were more likely to feed FRD compared to Christians (32%) and Muslims (30%). Among dog owners, 41% fed street dogs, while 35% of non-dog owners did so. On average, each feeder supported three dogs, with 40% feeding FRD daily, 25% every other day, while others fed them less frequently.
The majority of those who fed FRD expressed a strong emotional connection to the animals. Over 90% of feeders believed FRD needed care, 73% expressed affection for these stray dogs, and more than 80% said feeding the street dogs made them feel good. However, just over 50% said that FRD would starve to death if people did not feed them. This suggested emotional motives rather than perceived necessity for feeding. Furthermore, the fact that 45% of feeders were uncertain about the sterilization status of the dogs they fed highlights a missed opportunity to promote responsible pet ownership and population control.
Attitude Towards FRD
Public opinion on stray dogs (FRD) was complex and contradictory. While a majority viewed them as belonging in the community (66%), vulnerable (59%), and entitled to live on the streets (53%), particularly among dog owners, a significant portion also held negative perceptions. FRD were often seen as a menace (57%), nuisance (58%), or even scary (60%), with 53% believing they had no place in modern society. These negative attitudes were more prevalent among lower-income households, likely due to increased exposure to associated problems.
Interestingly, those who fed FRD were less inclined to view them negatively, but shared the belief with dog owners that they didn’t belong in modern society. This discrepancy highlights the complexity of public sentiment. Overall, the data reveals a conflicted public perception of FRD, with compassion and concern coexisting with fear and annoyance.
Problems Associated with FRD
Barking (56%) was the most prevalent concern caused by stray dogs, followed by chasing (37%) and biting incidents (36%). Dog bites were a particular issue, with 25% of respondents suffering at least one bite. Men were more likely to be bitten (28%) than women (22%). While 21% of residents experienced no problems with FRD, a majority (56%) perceived no benefits from their presence. However, 42% recognized the potential of stray dogs as guards and security providers.
FRD Solutions
Placing FRD in shelters was the most favored solution in municipalities (34%) and towns (24%), while villagers preferred animal birth control (41%), followed by sheltering (34%). Despite different preferences, respondents across all areas agreed that reducing the FRD population in Goa was essential (88-92%).
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Street Dogs / India / Community Perceptions
Year of Publication:
2022
External Link:
Corfmat, J, Gibson, AD, Mellanby, R, Watson, W, Appupillai, M, Yale , G, Gamble, L & Mazeri, S 2022, ‘Community attitudes and perceptions towards free-roaming dogs in Goa, India’, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, pp. 1-17.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2021.2014839