Free Living Dogs

Abstract

The majority of dogs are free-ranging and may or may not be owned. Many are appreciated for their sentinel activities and disposal of garbage but there are also fears in many countries of zoonotic diseases especially rabies. The nutrition and health of these dogs is poor and their lives short and possibly brutal. In most wealthy developed countries free-ranging dogs are uncommon as dog control legislation forces owners to identify and restrict their dogs and dogs found roaming are caught, held and either reclaimed, re-homed or euthanased. The means to control free-ranging dog populations are well known, but the political will or the financial capability to do so is often not available. Free-ranging dogs become a political issue when zoonoses or dogattacks become important and then dog control programmes may be initiated. These are often under funded, incomplete and short lived. Legislation, animal control and education are essential to dog control. De-sexing and killing are standard tools in dog population control but education, registration, and habitat modification are also important. The methods used to kill dogs vary depending on philosophy, funding and the availability of drugs and trained personnel. The method used to control free-ranging dogs varies, depending on the philosophy of the community. In some countries where killing is not acceptable, de-sexing and habitat adjustment are necessary to control freeranging dogs. Dogs are highly fecund and if food is available the removal of dogs from a location will be rapidly followed by the immigration of dogs from other areas. The welfare of free-ranging dogs is the most significant welfare issue of dogs and assistance from animal welfare organisations in the developed countries to animal welfare organisations and veterinarians in developing countries may be the most effective way to improve dog welfare worldwide.