Dog Population Control

By: Harshita Singh

 Preamble
• WHO estimates dog population worldwide is
10% that of human population
• Of these 75% can be regarded as ‘strays’
• India has a livestock population of 500 million
out of which the dog population is
approximately 22 million.
• The stray dog population is around 80%.
 Animal Welfare Issues of Stray
Dogs
• Lack of protection from adverse environmental factors

• Insufficient feed resources

• Aggressive encounters with alternative animals and

humans

• Lack or deficient or inadequate zoonoses management

programs
 Dog Population Control
Strategy
• Addressing the Sources of Stray Urban Dogs

• Current Stray Population

• Control of Zoonosis
 Addressing the Sources of Stray
Urban Dogs
• Selection of competent personnel
• Periodic training of personnel
• Periodic evaluation of the work
• Protection and resourcing of personnel
• (vaccination, protective gear and counseling)
• Infrastructure and equipment
 Current Stray Population
• Reuniting local animals with owners.
• Registration and identification and minimum
holding time
• Re-homing. Fostering services or re-homing
centers.
• Minimum standards for re homing centers,
• Catch neuter release.
 Control of Zoonosis
• The most important aspect of dog control
program is that of Zoonosis control.
• Among the number of diseases transmitted by
dogs, especially stray, Rabies ranks number
one.
 Identification of issues created by Dog Population Control
Strategy

The following were identified as major issues arising out

of stray dog control programs.
• Inhumane methods of killing in the field (e.g. shooting
and poisoning)
• Improper dog handling and care
• Inhumane methods of catching
• Improper loading and unloading
• Poor surgical techniques, pre-operative and postoperative
How To Control Dog Population
 Education: Promotion of
Responsible Pet Ownership

• The major challenge for

a successful program

• All agencies should give

the same message
Responsible Pet Ownership

• Reduce the risk of injury

or disease to other
animals

• Reduce the risk of

pollution/ nuisance to
society
 Garbage
Collection
• Availability of food
determines the population
size

• Poor hygiene of slaughter

houses, butchers, and food
outlets is an added public
health risk

• Private contractors may be

more effective though more
expensive
Registration and Identification
• Basis for legislation
• The rapid return of lost
pets
• Recognition of
abandonment
• Financial incentives for
neutering
• Monitoring of vaccination
• Improved population
census
Neutering of Owned Animals
• The aspect of responsible pet
ownership
• May be owner reluctance –
especially with males
• Veterinarians need to educate
owners of benefits
• Neutering campaigns – long
term I’m to encourage local
practitioners
• Financial incentives
associated with registration
Neutering of Stray Dogs
• Neutering prior to re-
homing

• Neuter and release

programmes for
community or feral
animals
 Reference
• https://
www.powershow.com/view/35807-MmMzY/Compan
ion_animals_powerpoint_ppt_presentation
Thank you