Stray Dog Population Control - OIE: · PDF fileperspective Dr. Stanislav Ralchev) OIE...
Transcript of Stray Dog Population Control - OIE: · PDF fileperspective Dr. Stanislav Ralchev) OIE...
Stray Dog Population Control Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapter 7.7.
Tikiri Wijayathilaka, Regional Project Coordinator
OIE RRAP, Tokyo, Japan
AWFP Training, August 27, 2013, Seoul, RO Korea
Presentation outline o History of the TAHC chapter
o Why did the OIE develop this chapter?
o OIE questionnaire on dog population control
o Preamble
o Guiding principles
o Definitions
o Dog population control program objectives
o Responsibilities and competencies
o Development of a dog population control program
o Control measures
o Monitoring and evaluation of a dog population control program
History of the TAHC chapter 2006 – May – 5
th meeting of WG on Animal Welfare – TOR
Modified to concentrate on stray dog population control
2007 – March – Draft Guidelines – TAHSC
2009 – March – Annex XV – TAHSC Draft Chapter
2009 – May – Resolution No 30 – approved at OIE 77th
General Session
• http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/About_us/docs/pdf/A_RESO_2009_P
UB.pdf - RESOLUTION No. 30 - 77 GS/FR – PARIS, May 2009
• http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Internationa_Standard_Setting/docs/
pdf/A_TAHSC_March2009_PartA.pdf - Annex XV - OIE Terrestrial Animal
Health Standards Commission / March 2009
• http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Internationa_Standard_Setting/docs/
pdf/A_TAHSC_MARCH2007_PARTC.pdf - Appendix VII - DRAFT GUIDELINES
DOG POPULATION CONTROL - OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Standards
commission/March 2007
• http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Internationa_Standard_Setting/docs/
pdf/A_TAHSC_OCTOBER2006.pdf - REPORT OF THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE
OIE WORKING GROUP ON ANIMAL WELFARE Paris, 4 - 6 July 2006 – Item
No 12 - Stray animal control – TOR modified to concentrate on dog
population control programs
Links to capture the history……
Why did the OIE develop this chapter? More than 55 000 people die each year from rabies, majority
are children and in many cases the source of infection is a
stray dog
99% human rabies deaths due to dog bites
Many millions of animals contract and die of rabies each year
Stray dogs pose serious human health, socio-economic,
political and animal welfare problems in many countries of
the world, and especially in developing countries and in least
developed countries.
(Slide - OIE stray dog control standards and
perspective Dr. Stanislav Ralchev)
OIE questionnaire on dog population control
To study and evaluate the problem and collect
relevant data, a questionnaire on dog population
control was distributed to all OIE countries, the
survey comprised 17 questions and they were
divided into two sections:
General information on the dog population
(presence, distribution and problems)
Stray dog control
(presence of official control programmes, different
methods employed)
http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Internationa_Standard_Setting/docs/pdf/A_TAHSC_MARCH2007_PARTC.pdf
(Slide - OIE stray dog control standards and
perspective Dr. Stanislav Ralchev)
Are free roaming dogs a problem?
EUROPE (30 countries)
Yes
47%
In some
areas
13%
No
40%
Are free roaming dogs a problem?
HDI - Human Development Index
Are free roaming dogs a problem?
(Slide - OIE stray dog control standards and
perspective Dr. Stanislav Ralchev)
Preamble to the chapter
Preamble Scope of these recommendations is to deal with
stray and feral dogs, which pose serious human
health, animal health and welfare problems and
have a socio-economic, environmental, political and
religious impact in many countries
Human health, including the prevention of
zoonotic diseases, notably rabies, is a priority
Dog population management is an integral part of
rabies control programs
Preamble cont. OIE recognizes the importance of controlling dog
populations without causing unnecessary animal
suffering
Veterinary Services should play a lead role in
preventing zoonotic diseases and ensuring animal
welfare and should be involved in dog population
control, coordinating their activities with other
competent public institutions and/or agencies
Guiding principles
Guiding principles - Article 7.7.1. Recommendations are based on those laid down
in Chapter 7.1.
Some additional principles are relevant to these
recommendations;
– Promotion of responsible dog ownership can
significantly reduce the numbers of stray dogs and
the incidence of zoonotic diseases
– Because dog ecology is linked with human activities,
control of dog populations has to be accompanied by
changes in human behavior to be effective
Definitions
Important Definitions Carrying capacity: the upper limit of the dog
population density that could be supported by the
habitat based on the availability of resources, and
human acceptance
Dog population control program: a program with the
aim of reducing a stray dog population to a
particular level and/or maintaining it at that level
and/or managing it in order to meet a predetermined
objective (see Article 7.7.3.)
Important Definitions cont. Person: can include more than one individual, &
could comprise family/household members or an
organization
Responsible dog ownership: situation whereby a
person accepts and commits to perform various duties
according to the legislation in place and focused on
the satisfaction of the behavioral, environmental and
physical needs of a dog and to the prevention of risks
that the dog may pose to the community, other
animals or the environment
Important Definitions cont. Owned dog: means a dog for which a person claims
responsibility
Stray Dog: Any dog not under direct control by a
person or not prevented from roaming
Types of stray dog:
free-roaming owned dog not under direct control or
restriction at a particular time
free-roaming dog with no owner
feral dog: domestic dog that has reverted to the wild
state and is no longer directly dependent upon humans
Dog population control program Objectives
Objectives of Dog population control program - Article 7.7.3. Improve health and welfare of owned and
stray dog population
Reduce numbers of stray dogs to an
acceptable level
Promote responsible ownership
Assist in the creation and maintenance of a
rabies immune or rabies free dog population
Objectives of Dog population control program cont.
Reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases other
than rabies
Manage other risks to human health (e.g.
parasites)
Prevent harm to the environment and
other animals
Prevent illegal trade and trafficking
Responsibilities and competencies
Responsibilities and competencies - Article 7.7.4. Veterinary
Authority
Responsible for the implementation of animal health and animal
welfare legislation (in coordination with other competent government
agencies and institutions)
Provide technical advice to control of endemic zoonotic diseases
Establishing two way communication with Private Veterinarians (may be
through professional organizations)
Other Govt.
Agencies
Public health
o May play a leadership role in dealing with zoonotic diseases
o Control of stray dogs with regard to other human health risks (but is
more likely to be by the local government)
Environment protection agencies
o Control problems associated with stray dogs when they present a hazard
to the environment
o Prevention of dog attacks on wildlife or transmission of diseases to
wildlife)
o Prevent increase of stray dog population when lacking environmental
controls
Responsibilities and competencies cont. Private
sector vets
Providing advice to dog owners or handlers consulting
the Veterinarian for advice or treatment of a dog
Disease surveillance - might be the 1st to see a dog suffering from
a notifiable disease such as rabies
Necessary that the private veterinarian follow the procedure
established by VA for reporting a suspected rabies or notifiable
disease
Dealing with cases of neglect that can lead to problems with stray
and mismanaged dogs
Involve in dog health programs and population control measures
(health testing, vaccination, identification, kenneling, sterilization
and euthanasia)
Two-way communication between the private veterinarian and VA is
very important
Responsibilities and competencies cont. Non govt.
org. (NGOs)
Potentially important partners of the Veterinary Services in,
Contributing to public awareness and understanding
Helping to obtain resources to contribute in design and successful
implementation of dog control programs
Supply local knowledge on dog populations and features of ownership,
as well as expertise in handling and kenneling dogs and the
implementation of sterilization programs
Contribute, together with veterinarians and the authorities in educating
the public in responsible dog ownership
Local govt.
authorities
Responsible for the development and enforcement of legislation relating
to dog ownership (many countries)
Control of stray dogs
Alleviation of the problems stray dogs cause in their jurisdiction
Essential to have the co-operation of local government authorities in the
control of stray dogs
Responsibilities and competencies cont. Dog
owners
Immediate acceptance of responsibility for that dog, any offspring
it may produce (for the duration of its life or until a subsequent
owner is found)
Ensure the welfare of the dog, including behavioral needs,
protected, as far as possible, from infectious diseases, protected
from unwanted reproduction
Ensure that the dog’s ownership is clearly identified and, where
required by legislation, registered on a centralized database
All reasonable steps should be taken to ensure that the dog
does not roam out of control in a manner that would pose a
problem to the community and/or the environment
Development of a dog population control program
Development of a dog population control program – Article 7.7.5. Recommends that the authorities establish an
advisory group – for the purpose
should include veterinarians, experts in dog
ecology, dog behavior and zoonotic diseases,
and representatives of relevant stakeholders
(local authorities, human health
services/authorities, environmental control
services/authorities, NGOs and the public)
Main purpose of the advisory group
Analyze and quantify the problem
Identify the causes
Obtain public opinion on dogs
Propose the most effective approaches to use
in the short and long term
Important considerations
Identifying the sources of stray dogs
Estimating the existing number, distribution
and ecology
Regulatory framework
Resources available to authorities
For details please refer - Article 7.7.5. of TAHC
Control measures
Possible control measures - Article 7.7.6.
Education and legislation for responsible ownership
Registration and identification of dogs (licensing)
Reproductive control
Removal and handling
Capture and return, rehoming or release
Environmental controls
Control of dog movement – international (export/import)
Control of dog movements – within country
Regulation of commercial dog dealers
Reduction in dog bite incidence
Euthanasia
Education and legislation for responsible ownership
Encouraging dog owners to be more responsible will
reduce;
the number of dogs allowed to roam
improve the health and welfare of dogs
minimize the risk that dogs pose to the community
Promotion of responsible dog ownership through
legislation and education is a necessary part of a dog
population control program
Collaboration with local government authorities, animal
welfare NGOs, kennel clubs, private veterinarians and
veterinary organizations will assist Veterinary Authorities
in establishing and maintaining programs
Elements which should address education on responsible dog ownership
Importance of proper selection for behavior and care to ensure the
welfare of the dog and any offspring
Registration and identification of dogs
Disease prevention, in particular zoonotic diseases e.g. through
regular vaccination in rabies endemic areas
Preventing negative impacts of dogs on the community, via pollution,
risks to human health through biting or traffic accidents and risks to
other dogs, wildlife, livestock and other companion animal species
Control of dog reproduction
In order to achieve a shift towards responsible ownership, a combination of
legislation, public awareness, education, and promotion of these elements will be
required. It may also be necessary to improve access to resources supporting
responsible ownership.
Reduction in dog bite incidence
Most effective means - education and placing responsibility on the
owner
Dog owners should be educated in principles of responsible dog
ownership (as Article 7.7.6)
Legal mechanisms - enable Competent Authorities to impose
penalties or otherwise deal with irresponsible owners necessary
Mandatory registration and identification schemes will facilitate the
effective application of such mechanisms
Young children are the group at highest risk for dog bites
Public education programs focused on appropriate dog-directed
behaviour have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing dog
bites - should be encouraged
Authorities should seek advice from dog behavior experts in
developing dog safety education programs
Euthanasia
When euthanasia is practiced,
general principles in the Terrestrial Code should be
followed
It should have emphasis on using the most practical,
rapid and humane methods
Should ensure operator safety
Regardless of the method used, it is important to
minimize distress, anxiety and pain by ensuring
that operators are appropriately trained
Monitoring and evaluation of dog population control programs
Monitoring and evaluation of dog population control programs - Article 7.7.7. Allows for comparison of important indicators
against the baselines measured during initial
assessment (see Article 7.7.5)
Three main reasons for carrying out monitoring and
evaluation are:
to help improve performance, by highlighting both problems
and successful elements of interventions
for accountability, to demonstrate that the program is
achieving its aims
assuming methods are standardized, to compare the success
of strategies used in different locations and situations
Elements that should generally be monitored and evaluated
Dog population size, separated into sub-populations
according to ownership and restriction of movement
Dog welfare, in the target population and as a result
of the program
Prevalence of zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, in
both the animal and human population
Responsible animal ownership, including measures
of attitudes and Understanding of responsible
ownership and evidence that this is translating into
responsible behavior
Sources of information for monitoring and evaluation
Feedback from the local community (e.g. through
the use of structured questionnaires, focus groups
or ‘open format’ consultation processes)
Records and opinions obtained from relevant
professionals (e.g. veterinarians, medical doctors,
law enforcement agencies, educators)
Animal based measurements (e.g. direct observation
surveys of population size and welfare status)
Important Output of activities against budget
should be carefully recorded in order to
evaluate the effort (or cost) against
the outcomes and impact (or benefit)
that are reflected in the results of
monitoring and evaluation
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de la santé animale
World Organisation
for Animal Health
Organización Mundial
de Sanidad Animal
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