2024-10-13 04:00:00
75% of the world’s dogs live without responsible care, creating a variety of health and environmental problems. This is revealed in a study carried out by researchers from the Conicet Institute of Biodiversity and Environment and the National University of Comachu in Bariloche, Rio Negro, In collaboration with Suri Sehgal Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, India.
Works published in magazines i wander. Scientists detail that there are approximately 82.2 million dogs in South America, while the number reaches 65 million in India.
contact with humans
Dogs are one of the first species domesticated by humans. It is a flexible animal that can walk many kilometers every day and has a high reproductive rate.
Dogs can be considered by people as another member of the family. In other cases, they are helped by them in their workas protectors or guardians of vulnerable wildlife or as health aid (in the case of guide dogs or autism therapy). Even in some areas they are considered sacred.
These diverse and strong bonds with humans make them the most common carnivores in the world today. “Although dogs have a close relationship with humans, unfortunately, not all dogs in the world are cared for by responsible people,” commented co-author and scientist Lucia Zamora-Nasca .
Biting children and attacking livestock are some of the consequences of free-ranging dogs/Credit Emiliano Arona
Large numbers of dogs circulate freely without supervision, either because owners let them leave their homes to roam freely, or because they are abandoned or ownerless dogs.
If people let their dogs roam free, abandon dogs or puppies, and do not spay or neuter free-running dogs, the dog population will increase uncontrollably.
Free-range animals may also instinctively chase and impact wild animals. In Argentina and India, these free-range dogs have been recorded as affecting at least 80 species of wildlife, while in Brazil they affect 37 species and in Ecuador 10 species.
health risks
Lack of control of these animals increases the risk of diseases such as rabies, hydatid disease and leptospirosis being transmitted from animals to humans.
Although it is recommended that 70% of dogs be vaccinated against rabies annually, The large number of roaming dogs makes this task difficult. Because these animals do not receive daily care, they do not receive appropriate immunizations.
In addition to health risks, free-range dogs can cause financial losses to producers through bites, especially among children, and attacks on livestock. They also impact biodiversity conservation by hunting wild animals, competing for food and spreading disease.
What measures need to be taken
The problem is exacerbated by the lack of appropriate legislation and frequent abandonment of dogs. Dr. Lucía Zamora-Nasca stresses, “It is important that responsible care includes not only vaccination and feeding, but also preventing the dog from walking without supervision.”
Misinformation and a lack of funding to implement measures based on scientific evidence also contribute to the problem.
To resolve this situation, The scientists proposed six key measures: setting and enforcing appropriate standards, improving responsible care promotion programs, expanding health and disinfection programs, Increase animal shelter capacity, legislate the keeping of free-range dogs and incorporate technology to control their populations. Dr. Sergio Lambertucci, co-author of the book, emphasizes that “long-term solutions need to be developed and agreed upon by all relevant social actors.”
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