Introduction

The killing of stray animals was widespread in the nineteenth century, due to the association between dog saliva and the spread of the rabies virus. Back then kennels and pounds were built to house captured animals, which were later killed. Methods used for killing varied from shooting, drowning, chambers (gas, decompression) to one injection. Nowadays, the main reason that maintain the cruel methods of capture and killing is the zoonosis control (rabies, leishmaniosis). These policies vary according to local socio-cultural, economic and religious aspects.¹

Various techniques are utilized for controlling stray dogs and cats. Some of them are non-selective killing (e.g., shooting, poisoning, electrocution, drowning), selective killing (this can be done humanely or inhumanely), non-selective catching and killing, selective catching and killing, catch, neuter and release (CNR), catching and shelter/re-homing (adoption/reuniting). WSPA and RSPCA (2007), in a survey in thirty European countries, found 17% (n=5) of them culled (shot) the dogs; in 70% (n=21) countries the principal method of stray control was to capture dogs and hold them during the statutory holding periods.¹

Dogs are generally closely associated with humans, depending on the resources they provide intentionally and unintentionally. The degree of supervision that is exerted on dogs varies greatly in different cultures, and is frequently unevenly applied. Dog population turnover can be rapid; however, the age distribution indicates frequently a rather slow turnover even in areas with no reproduction control. Yet, dog populations certainly have the potential of rapid recovery.²

Components of Effective Dog Population Management Programmes

Population management program can be defined as a set of strategies developed to prevent animal abandonment and promote responsible ownership, structured from the perspective of community health promotion, human and animal welfare, and environmental balance.¹

The objectives involve avoid the presence of street animals, with or without guardians; increase the level of care to animals (responsible ownership); reduce abandonment, birth, morbidity, mortality rates and the animal population turnover; prevent diseases and zoonosis control; promote social participation and empowerment of individuals and communities; and find an appropriate, humane and ethical destination for homeless animals, with focus on the welfare of animals, zoonosis control and people health.³

A comprehensive approach to canine and feline population management should include curative and preventive interventions that fill the local needs.¹ These interventions must be constantly evaluated and remain sustainable for long periods, with expansion policies to other regions. The strategies should include both the setting of national public policy for canine and feline population management and implementation at the local level by municipalities. Should be included (Figure 1): diagnosis of the situation (census or population estimates); social participation with involvement of different sectors in planning and implementing strategies; educational activities to promote human values, animal welfare concepts, the health of communities and responsible acquisition (purchase or adoption); environmental management and waste to reduce the food source and shelter; registration and identification of animals; health care and animal welfare; prevention and control of zoonosis transmitted by dogs; animal trade control; ethological management, and disposal of abandoned animals; and relevant legislation to guard responsible, preventing the abandonment and the prevention of zoonosis.³

It is important to develop long term, sustainable strategies to deal effectively with stray animal populations that include to prevent the health and welfare problems of street animal: malnutrition, disease, injury through road traffic accidents, injuries through fighting, abusive treatment.⁴

An essential and often overlooked aspect of developing a dog population management strategy is the initial data collection and analysis to establish the current dog population size, identify the source of new recruits to the population, animal welfare issues, problems caused by strays, current control methods, and identification of key implementers and stakeholders. In addition, behaviour and attitudes surveys are essential to understand the demographic parameters, beliefs, values and expectations of any given community. This phase should precede any intervention phase to ensure the DPM programme is tailored to the specific needs of the community and identifies characteristics of the specific dog population. This will also be essential in the monitoring and evaluation phase.⁵

Following an initial assessment, the next stage will be to highlight the most important factors that should be prioritized in the programme to ensure resources are expended in the way that will have an impact on the wider problem. One of the most important factors influencing dog population dynamics is human behavior, so it is very important to study attitudes and behavior and understand what may affect human behavior towards animals. Environmental factors and the reproductive capacity of the population will also influence population dynamics.⁵

Education, Training and Communication

Education is the most important element of a long term strategy as it focuses on human behavior which is a crucial factor in dog-human ecology. It is often overlooked because it requires a long-term commitment. Also, it is hard to evaluate and measure the impact of education in the short term. However, there are plenty of examples that communicating specific messages to children and the general public have resulted in an increased awareness, sensibility and understanding of dog behavior, positive interaction between dogs and people and more responsible ownership. There are positive links between communicating Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) messages and a change in behavior and attitudes, lower rate of abandonment and an increased adoption of shelter dogs.⁵

Legislation

It is important that the management model fits within the existing legislative frameworks, and that further legislation and policy frameworks are developed. Legislation has to be clear, simple and enforceable and it should allow for the evolution of management practices over time. Education has to support the development of new legislation and this is particularly important in the implementation phase, to allow time for up-skilling and for the development of necessary training provision. It is also important following the adoption of new legislation to inform the community about new responsibilities and expectations.⁵

Registration, Identification and Licensing

This is the most effective way of clearly connecting an owner with the animal, and it is also an important tool for successful enforcement. In many countries mandatory identification has had a significant impact on population reduction and control. However, it is important to remember that for many countries this will be an expensive option to implement, and it works best when subsidized by the government. If it is imposed and prohibitive in terms of cost, and there are no provisions in the period of transition to this model, it could result in an immediate increase in abandonment.⁵

Sterilization and Contraception

The control of reproduction along with responsible ownership is an instrumental factor in the control and management of dog populations. This can be achieved through surgical or chemical sterilization and by physical isolation of females in estrus. Sterilization crucially needs to link to the initial assessment to identify the groups of dogs that are most critical to target because of their high reproductive capacity. Equally, when resources are used to neuter the free roaming populations, it is important to ensure that the source of dogs is controlled by also targeting owned dogs in the DPM programme.⁵

Non-Surgical Fertility Suppression/Sterilization

For more than 30 years, researchers have tried to develop a non-surgical method of suppressing fertility, or sterilizing cats and dogs. Given that spay/neuter is labor intensive, costly and logistically challenging in many countries, a nonsurgical alternative has been sought that would be an effective tool in dog and cat population management.⁶

Now there are a few approaches commercially available. Approaches include improved long-acting GnRH passive and active immunity, toxins linked to targeting proteins that kill only the cells required for reproduction, high-dose or long-term GnRH agonists, gene silencing and gene therapy approaches.⁶

In addition to these potential tools, an ecosystem of supporting technologies and information will be required for successful deployment. For example, technology to mark treated animals to avoid re-treatment, population modelling to understand the impact of various duration treatments on dog and cat populations, and a solid evaluation of potential costs for realistic resource allocation in the future. Organizations, such as the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs, are paving the way for the successful introduction of new these new approaches to managing companion animal populations.⁶

Social Participation

An effective and comprehensive dogs and cats management programs development of social responsibility by the community for dealing with the abandonment of animals and the lack of animal responsible ownership; development of strategies for participatory actions; empowerment of the community to make choices and participate.³

References

1.  Garcia RCM. Dog catching, handling and removal. In: Istituto G. Caporale. Rood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; World Society for the Protection of Animals. Expert meeting on dog population management. 15–19th March 2011. Italy. 2011;99.

2.  Wandeler A. The role of dog population management in the prevention and control of rabies. In: Istituto G. Caporale. Rood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; World Society for the Protection of Animals. Expert meeting on dog population management. 15–19th March 2011. Italy. 2011;99.

3.  Garcia RCM, Calderón N, Ferreira F. Consolidation of international guidelines for the management of canine populations in urban areas and proposal of performance indicators. Ver Panm Salud Publica. 2012;32(2):140–144. http://dx.doi. org/10.1590/S1020-49892012000800008.

4.  International Companion Animal Management Coalition. Humane dog population management guidance. Londres: ICAM; 2007. Acesso em 27/05/2016. http://www.rabiesblueprint.com/IMG/pdf/Link71_DogPopManagement_ICAM.pdf (VIN editor: Link was not accessible as of 26/5/2017).

5.  Seaman AH. Dog population management Cost benefit of interventions. In: Istituto G. Caporale. Rood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; World Society for the Protection of Animals. Expert meeting on dog population management. 15–19th March 2011. Italy, 2011;99.

6.  Rhodes L. Na overview of non-surgical fertility suppression/sterilization of companion animals. In: 2nd International Conference on Dog Population Management. Istambul, Turquia. 2015;35.

7.  Garcia RCM. Estudo da dinâmica populacional canina e felina e avaliação de ações para o equilíbrio dessas populações em área da cidade de São Paulo, SP, Brasil [tese de doutorado]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo. Acesso em 27/05/2016. www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/10/10134/tde-18012010-154127/pt-br.php. 2009.

8.  World Health Organization. Report of WHO Consultation on dog ecology studies related to rabies control. Genebra: WHO, 1988. (WHO/Rab.Res/88.25).

9.  World Health Organization. World Society for the Protection of Animals. Guidelines for dog population management. Genebra: WHO; WSPA; 1990.

10. World Organization for Animal Health. Stray dog population control. Em: Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Paris: OIE; 2010. Acesso em 27/05/2016. www.oie.int/doc/ged/D7599.pdf.

11. International Companion Animal Management Coalition. Humane dog population management guidance. Londres: ICAM; 2007. Acesso em 27/05/2016. www.rabiesblueprint.com/IMG/pdf/Link71_DogPopManagement_ICAM.pdf (VIN editor: Link was not accessible as of 26/5/2017).

12. IBGE. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. www.ibge.gov.br. 2013.

13. Rhodes L. An overview of non-surgical fertility suppression/sterilization of companion animals. Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Dog Population Management, Istambul, Turquia, March. 2015;35.

14. Expert meeting on dog population management, Banna, Italy. 15–19th March 2011.