The control of stray dogs

Extract

Dogs make wonderful companions but unfortunately strays are a problem in most urban and many rural environments. Stray dogs may bite; they cause problems of health and hygiene and are an obvious traffic hazard. Moreover, the strays suffer from injury, disease and sometimes inhumane methods of control. The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has produced a written guide and video cassette to assist government, municipalities and animal control professionals to achieve effective stray dog control programmes. Their main recommendations are that authorities should implement registration, identification, neutering and education schemes. The video touches on the problem of rabies in countries where it is endemic. WSPA argues for a vaccination programme, as general euthanasia of strays disrupts the stray dog population, increases dog movements and thus increases the risk of spreading the disease. The guide and video compliment each other with the video acting as a useful introduction and outline of WSPA's initiative. The written guide, however, is more informative and practical and includes a series of annexes on, for example: dog control, dog identification systems, housing systems and suggested legislative provisions. WSPA has also put together a conference and practical training programme to help launch their initiative with interested governments.