Key Findings
In 2008, a subsidized veterinary service was established in a remote Canadian region. In 2017, a survey was conducted to gauge how community attitudes and concerns about dogs had changed over the past decade.
Dog health and welfare improved significantly between 2008 and 2017. More dogs received veterinary care, including sterilization, vaccinations, deworming, and examinations.
Community attitudes toward dogs became more positive between 2008 and 2017. Improvements included fewer loose dogs, better access to veterinary care, improved dog treatment, and stronger enforcement of dog-related laws. Concerns about excessive dog populations also decreased. Most respondents believed that dog-related issues had either improved or remained the same.
Summary
Dogs have been essential to Arctic and subarctic Indigenous life for millennia, serving as companions, transporters, hunters, and protectors. However, they also pose risks, including high attack rates, zoonotic diseases, and community tensions. The culling of free-roaming dogs can impact mental health. The lack of veterinary services exacerbates these challenges.
In Canada, the Northwest Territories (NWT) faces limited veterinary services, with Yellowknife being the only city with a resident veterinarian. Most communities rely on infrequent mobile services or have no access. The Sahtu Settlement Area is an exception, with annual subsidized mobile clinics since 2008. This regularity is unusual in remote regions, where most programs are infrequent and lack evaluation. This study, “Indigenous community perspectives on dogs in Northern Canada after 10 years of veterinary services indicates improved animal and human welfare”, assesses how Sahtu attitudes and concerns about dogs have changed after a decade of veterinary services.
Study Methods
The study was conducted in the Sahtu Settlement area of the NWT, five small, remote communities accessible by air, river, or winter road. In response to rabies, dog health, and free-roaming dog concerns, a 2008 needs assessment established an annual mobile veterinary program. The program offers vaccinations, deworming, sterilization, and education on dog welfare and bite prevention. The study focused on four of the five Sahtu communities, where most residents are Indigenous.
To assess the program’s impact, a dog census and door-to-door questionnaires were conducted in 2017. The census used a multi-step approach: visually counting dogs outside households, confirming numbers through questionnaires, and verifying with knowledgeable community members. Door-to-door questionnaires, on the other hand, aimed to understand community views on dogs, covering demographics, experiences, and attitudes towards dog-related issues.
Dog Demographics, Husbandry, Uptake of services
Compared to 2008, dog health and welfare improved significantly in 2017. More dogs were sterilized, vaccinated, dewormed, and examined by vets. In 2017, 76% of dogs had seen a vet recently. However, those respondents whose dogs remained unsterilized were less likely (38%) to want to sterilize their dogs, compared to 69% in 2008. This might indicate that the sterilization program was successful in meeting the needs of those who wanted their dogs sterilized.
Dietary practices changed, with more owners feeding their dogs store-bought food daily in 2017. This shift might reflect reduced availability of traditional food sources like wild game and fish. While commercial food may lower parasite risk, it’s often less nutritious than traditional diets rich in fish and wild game.
In 2017, more dogs were kept outside (49%) or allowed to roam freely (17%). As such, free-roaming dogs were a common concern. Some participants said dogs were only tied up on “dog cull” days. Most respondents didn’t believe there were true stray dogs, suggesting loose dogs were typically owned. The remoteness of the Sahtu region, harsh winters, and wildlife likely make true stray dogs rare.
Attitudes Towards Dogs and Dog Issues
Attitudes towards dogs improved significantly between 2008 and 2017. In 2017, 77% of respondents had positive views of dogs, compared to 62% in 2008. Concerns about “too many dogs” also declined.
Most respondents believed dog-related issues had improved or remained unchanged. Improvements included fewer loose dogs, increased access to veterinary care, better treatment of dogs, and stronger bylaw enforcement.
In one community, a well-supported dog management plan, including bylaws to tie up dogs and options to send unwanted dogs to the NWT SPCA, led to a significant reduction in loose dogs and dog culling. The community viewed this positively.
The most common negative dog experience was being chased or frightened. 8–50% of respondents reported these issues. However, serious incidents like bites or being knocked over were rare, affecting only 3-5% of respondents. On the other hand, the most prominent issues identified were loose dogs and improper dog care. There was also concern over how problem dogs were dealt with. Some residents felt authorities were too quick to shoot loose dogs.
The Sahtu people had a close relationship with their dogs. Companionship and protection were the main reasons for owning a dog. 90% of owners strongly agreed their dog was part of their family, reflecting a deep emotional bond. Changes in dog behavior and care, such as increased sterilization and reduced aggression, may have strengthened these relationships. The longer lifespan of dogs and improved community perceptions of their well-being also contributed to this enhanced bond.
Overall, an increased awareness of dog care and management in recent years, possibly driven by regular veterinary services and access to information, may have led to greater recognition of dog-related issues and lower tolerance for them. This shift in perception mirrors findings from other studies, such as in Indonesia, where societal pressure influenced dog owners’ decisions regarding dog care.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs / Canada / Dog Ownership Practices
Year of Publication:
2020
External Link:
Tessa Baker, Melanie Rock, Ryan Brook, Frank van der Meer, Susan Kutz, Indigenous community perspectives on dogs in Northern Canada after 10 years of veterinary services indicates improved animal and human welfare, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Volume 181, 2020, 105061, ISSN 0167-5877,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105061.