Numbers Of Free-roaming Dogs Research Articles

Canine parasitoses in north Patagonia (Argentina): comparison between different social and environmental factors.

In many countries, urban areas are commonly contaminated with canine feces that spread parasites, a situation related to the natural and social environment. Dogs having free access to public areas therefore constitutes a health risk. Because in Patagonia there are no records of city comparisons that consider the number of free-roaming dogs and the local environmental and socioeconomic characteristics, in this study we analyse and compare canine parasitoses in two cities of Rio Negro province, Argentina. Canine feces were collected from public areas of El Bolsón and Cipolletti cities and examined using enrichment methods, Kinyoun stain and immunoassay (Copro-Elisa). The total percentage of positive feces in El Bolsón was 68.95% and 16 parasite taxa being identified, whereas in Cipolletti the total positive feces was 41.1%, with 11 taxa. Both cities presented more helminth species than protozoans. The variables that explained the occurrence of all parasites were rainfall and socioeconomic stratum with the highest values being found in low-income areas.Soil moisture is conditioned by rainfall. This study highlights the presence of the zoonotic Echinococcus sp. in dogs in urban areas of the Rio Negro province. The occurrence of this parasite in Cipolletti is unexpected, given that this city is not considered an endemic zone for this disease, which is not included in local monitoring and control plans.

Initial study on free-roaming dogs in Serbian hunting grounds

We used the questionnaire method to collect initial data on the presence, characteristics, and attacks on wildlife by free-roaming dogs from 364 employees in professional services for hunting and game management in Serbia. The results showed that more than 80% of participants frequently saw free-roaming dogs in their hunting grounds. Most of the participants saw medium-sized dogs (63%) in groups of more than 5 animals (53%). Forty-three percent of respondents believed that free/roaming dogs belonged to the category of abandoned dogs. Participants noted that the population of free-roaming dogs has increased in the last 5 years in hunting grounds. The smallest share of participants (60%) who noticed an increase in the number of free-roaming dogs was from mountainous hunting grounds (P < 0.5). More than 50% of participants believed that the number of deadly attacks by free-roaming dogs on wildlife has increased in the last 5 years. Roe deer were the most common victims of dog attacks. Lethal methods of controlling the populations of free-roaming dogs were not accepted by participants. Considering the almost identical traditions of the Balkan peoples regarding the treatment of dogs, we consider this study especially important for the region.

A cross-sectional study of free-roaming dogs in a Patagonian city: Their distribution and intestinal helminths in relation to socioeconomic aspects of neighborhoods.

Human and dog health are inextricably linked, and although our relationship with dogs brings numerous benefits for our well-being, it is known that they can transmit disease. Bariloche is a Patagonian tourist city with heterogeneous social composition. This cross-sectional study evaluates the population of free-roaming dogs and their intestinal parasites in relation to the socioeconomic level of the city's human population. Census areas were used as survey units, stratified in three levels according to socioeconomic status. The free-roaming dog population was estimated by walking around each census area. Eight fresh feces per census count area were collected and analyzed using coproparasitological flotation tests, and CoproELISA was used to detect Echinococcus sp. A total of 858 free-roaming dogs were registered along 40.9km, with significant differences between socioeconomic strata: the highest numbers were found in the lowest income strata. Of the feces collected, 39.2% tested positive for parasites, those associated with a lower socioeconomic level having higher percentages of positive feces and a greater number of species. Eight species of helminths were found, some of which were zoonotic, such as Echinococcus sp., Toxocara canis, and Dibothriocephalus latus. The presence of parasites can be explained by the number of free-roaming dogs per census count area. The free-roaming dogs generally have owners, and their parasitic infection is strongly associated with the socioeconomic level of the population. The main problem is irresponsible pet care, which generates healthy conditions for both dogs and humans. Thus, both dogs and humans deserve effective ethical public policies.

Baseline epidemiology and associated dog ecology study towards stepwise elimination of rabies in Kwara state, Nigeria

Understanding domestic dog population dynamics and ecology is crucial to any effective rabies control program. This study was conducted as part of the baseline epidemiological studies necessary for the establishment of the Kwara Rabies Rapid Alert System “KRRAS”. This study aimed to determine the dog population structure of Kwara State by assessing the dog ownership, vaccination status, and prevalence of dog bites.A total of 1460 questionnaires were administered to respondents in the three senatorial zones of the state using Open Data Kit (ODK) between June 2019 to January 2020.Of the 1460 households surveyed, 293 (20.1 %) owned at least one dog with an average of 2.25 dogs per household. The male to female ratio was 1.9:1 and 79.3 % (n = 523/659) of the owned dogs were local breeds. A total of 785 dogs was enumerated (659 dogs from 293 households and 126 free-roaming dogs) and 7811 persons which resulted in a dog-human ratio of 1:9.95. The estimated dog population is 376,789 (95 % CI: 343,700 – 379,878). Only 31 % (n = 204/659) of households vaccinated their dogs against rabies. The prevalence of dog-bite was 13 % (n = 193/1460) of which only 27 % of the victims (n = 61/225) received post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Dog ownership was significantly impacted by the ethnicity of respondents. Hausa (OR: 3.76; 95 % CI: 1.15–12.4; p < 0.001) and Nupe (OR: 4.48; 95 % CI: 1.77–11.33; p < 0.001) respondents owned dogs than Yoruba respondents. The rabies vaccination status of owned dogs was significantly impacted by the level of education (OR: 5.03; 95 % CI: 1.50–16.83; p < 0.001); history of previous dog bite incidents (OR: 1.74; 95 % CI: 0.95–3.17; p < 0.001); the breed of the dog with exotic dogs being more vaccinated (OR: 2.79: 95 % 0.64–12.05; p < 0.001). Similarly, Male dogs (OR: 1.49, 95 % 1.03–2.86; p < 0.001) and partially confined dogs (OR: 1.09, 95 % 0.45–2.11, p < 0.001) were found to be vaccinated against rabies.The results of the study showed low dog vaccination coverage, and high number of free roaming dogs. Hence, a threat to public health. The low dog vaccination coverage is below the 70–80 % target recommended for herd immunity by the World Health Organization.

An exploratory analysis of demography and movement patterns of dogs: New insights in the ecology of endemic Rocky Mountain-Spotted Feverin Mexicali, Mexico.

An outbreak of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) transmitted by the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato) has emerged as a major human and animal health concern in Mexicali, Mexico. Due to high rates of brown dog tick infestation, susceptibility, and association with humans, dogs serve as sentinels and have a key role in the ecology of RMSF. A cross-sectional household questionnaire study was conducted in six rural and urban locations to characterize dog ecology and demography in RMSF high-and low-risk areas of Mexicali. In addition, we tracked movement patterns of 16 dogs using a GPS data logger. Of 253 households, 73% owned dogs, and dog ownership tended to be higher in high-risk areas, with a mean dog:human ratio of 0.43, compared with 0.3 in low-risk areas. Dogs in high-risk areas had higher fecundity and roamed more, but the dog density and numbers of free-roaming dogs were comparable. There was a higher proportion of younger dogs and lower proportion of older dogs in high-risk areas. The high proportion of immunologically naïve puppies in high risk areas could result in a lack of herd immunity leading to a more vulnerable dog and human population. The marked increase of space use of free-roaming dogs in high-risk areas suggests that unrestrained dogs could play an important role in spreading ticks and pathogens. As means to limit RMSF risk, practical changes could include increased efforts for spay-neuter and policies encouraging dog restraint to limit canine roaming and spread of ticks across communities; due to dog density is less impactful such policies may be more useful than restrictions on the number of owned dogs.

Avaliação da movimentação de cães soltos nas ruas por meio de captura-recaptura fotográfica e georeferenciamento

This work proposes to use the photographic capture-recapture technique associated with the GPS positioning (Global Positioning System) to estimate the population and to evaluate the movement of free-roaming dogs in public spaces. An observer on a motorcycle traveled all the streets of Jardim Ipanema and part of Dona Amelia neighborhoods in Aracatuba, SP, totaling a ​​1.3 Km2 area covered on two days, with a one-week interval between them. The free-roaming dogs were photographed and their geographical locations were determined using GPS, and this geographic record was then used to estimate the spatial and temporal distribution of free-roaming dogs in the neighborhood. A total of 77 dogs were found on the streets, 21 of which were photographed more than once (photo-recaptured). The number of free-roaming dogs was estimated from the capture rate using a linear regression model, revealing a population of 76 animals, corresponding to 7.5% of the canine population living in the neighborhood. The results indicated a higher concentration of free-roaming dogs in a certain neighborhood region that has unpaved streets and most houses had no walls. Furthermore, the highest number of dogs was observed early in the day (between 7 and 9 a.m.) and that, among the dogs observed moving through the neighborhood streets, the longest distance traveled was 520m. It is concluded that the proposed methodology is an efficient tool and can be used when planning public health activities.

Diphyllobothriidea in the north area of the Andean Patagonia: Epidemiology in urban dogs, morphometrical and molecular identification, with comments on wild carnivores.

Diphyllobothriidea are the principal agents of Diphyllobothriosis, a widespread food-borne cestodosis. Accurate identification of the species in samples is therefore crucial for diagnosis and epidemiology in wild and domestic animals, and also humans. We aim to identify at specific level the causative agent, and provide an observational, descriptive, and transversal study of the epidemiology of this zoonosis in urban dogs. Also data on wild carnivores from Northwestern Patagonia are presented. Dog feces were collected in thirteen neighborhoods of varying socioeconomic status, and stools were analyzed by two concentration methods. Adult worms were collected and identified by molecular methods. The population of free-roaming dogs in each neighborhood was estimated, and surveys were conducted at all veterinary clinics registered in the Veterinary Medical College of Bariloche city. A total of 36 wild carnivores road killed or found dead in three National Parks were analyzed. Molecular and morphometric analyses of proglottids and eggs from dogs indicate they are infected with D. latum. Twenty out of 118 dog feces were positive for Diphyllobothrium, from 9 out of 13 neighborhoods, with infection values between 10% and 66%. Percentage of infection was correlated positively with the number of free roaming dogs per block, and with Unsatisfied Basic Needs (UBN %), but not with distance to nearest water body. Infection by D. latum in dogs is widely distributed throughout the city. Not all local veterinarians know the occurrence of Diphyllobothriosis in the dogs of the city, and it is evident that this zoonosis is underdiagnosed in relation to the percentage of infection found in this study. None of the analyzed wild carnivores were positive for Diphyllobothrium.

High prevalence of antibodies against canine adenovirus (CAV) type 2 in domestic dog populations in South Africa precludes the use of CAV-based recombinant rabies vaccines

Rabies in dogs can be controlled through mass vaccination. Oral vaccination of domestic dogs would be useful in the developing world, where greater vaccination coverage is needed especially in inaccessible areas or places with large numbers of free-roaming dogs. From this perspective, recent research has focused on development of new recombinant vaccines that can be administered orally in a bait to be used as adjunct for parenteral vaccination. One such candidate, a recombinant canine adenovirus type 2 vaccine expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein (CAV2-RG), is considered a promising option for dogs, given host specificity and safety. To assess the potential use of this vaccine in domestic dog populations, we investigated the prevalence of antibodies against canine adenovirus type 2 in South African dogs. Blood was collected from 241 dogs from the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Sampled dogs had not previously been vaccinated against canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV1) or canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV2). Animals from both provinces had a high percentage of seropositivity (45% and 62%), suggesting that CAV2 circulates extensively among domestic dog populations in South Africa. Given this finding, we evaluated the effect of pre-existing CAV-specific antibodies on the efficacy of the CAV2-RG vaccine delivered via the oral route in dogs. Purpose-bred Beagle dogs, which received prior vaccination against canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus and CAV, were immunized by oral administration of CAV2-RG. After rabies virus (RABV) infection all animals, except one vaccinated dog, developed rabies. This study demonstrated that pre-existing antibodies against CAV, such as naturally occurs in South African dogs, inhibits the development of neutralizing antibodies against RABV when immunized with a CAV-based rabies recombinant vaccine.

Dog Keeping in Taiwan: Its Contribution to the Problem of Free-Roaming Dogs

This study conducted a quantitative ethnographic analysis of the influence of demographic factors and early experience (childhood exposure to dogs) on Taiwanese dog-keeping practices and behavior. A telephone survey of a randomly selected sample of 2,001 Taiwan residents determined their dog ownership histories, current patterns of dog ownership and disposal, and other dog-related activities. The results suggest that low rates of neutering, easy availability of low- or no-cost puppies, a tendency to allow owned dogs free access to the outdoors, unrealistic expectations of dog ownership, canine behavioral problems, and religious and cultural taboos against euthanasia and shelter relinquishment have contributed to the recent increase in the numbers of free-roaming dogs in Taiwan. Logistic regression analyses determined that a relatively small number of demographic and experiential variables predicted dog ownership and disposal patterns. The most important of these was childhood experience of living with household dogs. In light of these findings, future efforts to reduce the stray dog problem should focus on enforcing registration fees, particularly for unsterilized animals; low-cost neutering schemes; and educational programs designed to promote neutering, improve knowledge of canine behavior and behavior problems, and develop more realistic expectations and attitudes toward dog ownership. Marked Taiwanese resistance to canine euthanasia and shelter relinquishment suggests a need for alternative methods of managing the existing free-roaming dog population.