Key Findings
In the communities of Esue and Katsho, which are located around a protected area, most residents are farmers who own dogs. The primary reasons for keeping dogs were to guard homes, properties, and crops.
Approximately 40% of residents adopted their dogs, while about a quarter purchased them. Dog owners generally supported the CNVR program and had vaccinated their dogs against rabies.
A majority of survey respondents recognized that free-roaming dogs cause issues in the community, with 30% reporting being extremely afraid of dogs in the area. Nevertheless, most dog owners still allow their dogs to roam freely.
Summary
Domestic dogs are widespread companions to humans, relying on them for sustenance and shelter. Despite their benefits, dogs can pose significant public health risks, particularly when their populations are uncontrolled. They are capable of transmitting over 60 zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, and can also threaten wildlife through predation and the spread of diseases. It is essential to understand the ecological and epidemiological impacts of domestic and feral dogs, especially at the interface of human, livestock, and wildlife interactions, to inform policy-making effectively.
The paper titled “Community Perceptions of Free-Roaming Dogs and Management Practices in Villages at the Periphery of a Protected Area in Bhutan” presents the results of a survey investigating community knowledge, perceptions, and practices related to dogs and their impacts in the vicinity of the Haa Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve in Western Bhutan.
The study focused on areas bordering a protected zone established in 1993. It included one semi-urban district, Katsho, and an adjacent rural district, Esue. Researchers used a questionnaire featuring both closed and open-ended questions to gauge respondents’ knowledge. Additionally, group discussions were organized at each study site. In-depth interviews were conducted with local veterinary staff, park officials, elders, local spiritual healers, and a male Buddhist astrologer.
Survey Results
Dog Ownership Practices
In the communities of Esue and Katsho, the majority of respondents were farmers, with 84% in Esue and 56% in Katsho. Dog ownership was more prevalent in Esue, with 77% of households owning pet dogs, compared to 59% in Katsho. Over 85% of these respondents indicated that they kept dogs primarily to guard their homes and properties, while about 70% mentioned protection of agricultural crops as another reason.
Around 40% of respondents acquired their dogs by adopting strays, while over a quarter purchased their dogs. In Esue, local crossbreeds were more common, whereas Katsho had a higher proportion of purebred dogs. Additionally, more dog owners in Katsho provided separate kennels or houses for their pets. Most respondents in both areas vaccinated their dogs against rabies, and over 70% stated they would visit a veterinary hospital if their dogs became ill. However, few vaccinated their dogs against other diseases, indicating a lack of awareness. Farmers reported that, in the year preceding the survey, about 10% of their cattle died from various causes, while dog owners reported a 4% mortality rate for domestic dogs.
Over 90% of respondents from both communities were aware of the Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (CNVR) program. The minority who did not support the CNVR program cited religious beliefs in Esue, viewing neutering dogs as a sin, while Katsho respondents mentioned difficulties in catching stray dogs and requested the government to improve capture methods.
In both locations, people rated their happiness above 7 on a scale, but when asked about their happiness without their pet dogs, the scores dropped significantly to above 3 in Esue and 5 in Katsho. This highlights the importance of dogs to the community’s quality of life.
Perception Towards Free-Roaming Dogs
A slightly higher proportion of dog owners in Esue (65%) allowed their dogs to roam freely compared to Katsho (59%). Dogs without designated shelters were more likely to roam than those with kennels. Most owners in Esue believed their dogs occasionally or regularly shared habitats with wildlife, while only a third of owners in the semi-urban Katsho believed this to be the case.
Despite their willingness to allow the dogs to roam, a significant majority (81%) of participants acknowledged issues in the community caused by free-roaming dogs. The risks associated with these dogs included biting or attacking humans (64%) and domestic animals (50%). Regarding fear levels, 35% of respondents reported being extremely afraid of dogs in the area, 30% were very afraid, and 15% were moderately afraid. In contrast, 12% were only slightly afraid, and 8% were not afraid at all.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs / Bhutan / Dog Ownership Practices
Year of Publication:
2019
External Link:
Dorji, Tshering & Tenzin, Tenzin & Rinzin, Karma & Phimpraphai, Waraphon & De Garine-Wichatitsky, Michel. (2020). Community Perceptions of Free-Roaming Dogs and Management Practices in Villages at the Periphery of a Protected Area in Bhutan. Chiang Mai University Journal of Natural Sciences. 19. 10.12982/CMUJNS.2020.00020.
https://doi.org/10.12982/CMUJNS.2020.0002