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Abstract

It is not known exactly how many dogs are in the DMQ. In Ecuador, it has been used
for many years the ratio of one dog for every seven people. This estimation does not reflect a
current value of the reality of the dog population, because it does not take into account
variables that have interfered in the decrease of this population. The aim of this study was to
establish the amount of stray dogs found in Municipal Markets of the DMQ, to analyze
whether the population differs from that estimated by the parameters currently used. A field
study consisting of direct observation of stray dogs in each market was conducted for the first
time in the city. A random sample of 21 Municipal Markets of the DMQ was obtained. The
number of animals found in each sampled market was different (p<0.05). Although, a
significant difference between the number of dogs in the markets of North, Central, South and
Rural areas of the city, was no found; a statistical trend (p=0.075) was observed showing that
more dogs can be found in the sectors of lower socioeconomic status. Using a logistic
regression analysis, a statistically significant positive association (p<0.05) was showed
between the probability of having a larger number of dogs in the markets that have an open
structure and resting areas. Through statistical modeling, a population of 7540 to 17 400 stray
dogs was estimated in the DMQ, with confidence limits of 95 %, which differs significantly
from the one of 127 953 to 153 545 estimated by the Municipality of Quito. This indicates that
the methodology of this study showed more consistency with the reality of the population at
present time. Finally, the findings of this research were plotted through GIS by ArcView Gis
3.2 program. This study concludes that the growth of the dog population is directly linked to
the behaviors and decisions of the human population.