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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