Key Findings
Free-roaming dogs (FRD) are a global issue, with 69% of high Human Development Index (HDI) countries and all medium and low-HDI countries recognizing it as a problem.
Most countries engage in the killing or euthanasia of FRD, with medium and low-HDI nations more likely to employ inhumane methods like poison baits and shooting, while high-HDI countries prefer injectable solutions.
Dog shelters are predominantly found in highly developed countries, with just 6.8% located in medium or low-HDI nations.
Summary
The prevalence of dog-control programs among OIE-member (now World Organisation for Animal Health, WOAH) countries varies widely, This is due to local attitudes towards free-roaming dogs (FRD) and the availability of resources. Economic development, as measured by the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), significantly influences a country’s capacity to manage FRD populations.
To understand this relationship, researchers at OIE conducted a study titled ‘Free-roaming dog control among OIE-member countries’. Using a questionnaire developed by the OIE ad hoc group on dog population control, they examined the correlation between government perceptions of FRD issues and HDI across OIE-member states.
The survey was distributed via email to state veterinary services in 172 OIE-member countries, targeting officials responsible for dog population control. It contained 17 questions divided into two sections: general information on dog populations and stray dog control methods. Participating countries were categorized into three groups (high, medium, low) based on their Human Development Index (HDI) from the United Nations’ 2007/2008 report. However, due to the small number of low-HDI countries, the medium and low-HDI categories were combined for analysis.
Study Results
Of the 172 OIE-member countries surveyed about dog population control, 81 (47%) responded. These countries were categorized based on the United Nations’ Human Development Index (HDI): 52% were “high development,” 36% were “medium development,” and 7% were “low development”.
FRD were a recognized issue in 69% of high-HDI countries and were universally considered a problem in medium and low-HDI countries, highlighting its global nature. In poorer countries, economic and social challenges, such as inadequate sanitation and waste management, aggravated the FRD problem. Dog bites and attacks were the most reported issues, with higher rates in high-HDI countries, even when accounting for population size. Limited access to healthcare services and reporting mechanisms likely explains the lower incidence of dog bites in less-developed countries.
Dog population control programs were less common in medium and low-HDI countries (52% had one). While euthanasia was widely used everywhere (58% in high-HDI countries, vs. 63% in medium and low-HDI countries), inhumane methods like poison baits and shooting were more prevalent in medium and low-HDI countries (4% in high-HDI countries, 54% in medium and low-HDI countries). Dog registration was the primary control method in high-HDI countries. Municipalities managed programs in 72% of countries.
Dog shelters were concentrated in highly developed countries, with only 6.8% located in medium or low-HDI countries. Due to the cost of shelters, alternative humane methods like Trap/Neuter/Release (TNR) should be considered, although further research is needed to evaluate their effectiveness and public acceptance.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Dog Population Management / Global Comparison / Surveys
Year of Publication:
2010
External Link:
P. Dalla Villa, S. Kahn, L. Stuardo, L. Iannetti, A. Di Nardo, J.A. Serpell, Free-roaming dog control among OIE-member countries, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Volume 97, Issue 1, 2010, Pages 58-63, ISSN 0167-5877,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2010.07.001.