This random killing of strays is not The countries reporting having no or low Most found dogs (80-100%) are returned to
effective; it does not address the cause of numbers of strays have legislation enforced their owners; the majority have accidentally
the problem. The humane and by authorities relating to animal welfare, become separated from their owners or are
comprehensive approach with education dog control, stray collection and housing, genuinely lost. Any animal not claimed can
and pet care, enforced legislation, and also the control of breeding and sale of be re-homed (subject to their suitability)
identification and registration of pets, the the animals. They have a permanent although it is legal to euthanise healthy
neutering of stray and owned animals and identification of animals, a registration or animals after the statutory holding period of
vaccination will all help with the stray licensing scheme enabling loose animals to two months. The commercial pet trade is
population management. be returned swiftly to their owners, and a regulated and dogs and cats are prohibited
penalty for those owners whose dogs were from being sold in pet shops.
A project was commissioned by WSPA and not under close control. Dog breeding is
the RSPCA International, intending to controlled either through neutering or good K9 Magazine's editor-in-chief Ryan
update an existing study of dog population physical control, therefore the over- O'Meara is calling for a similar suitability
control practices across Europe conducted population of dogs has not become a test to be carried out on all new dog
by the RSPCA in 1999. problem. owners. You can find out more by visiting
this website www.dogownershiptest.co.uk.
Thirty four animal welfare groups operating Switzerland has a remarkable history of no
in 30 countries located in Europe and stray dogs, with progression towards strict Working together with WSPA, the Humane
Eurasia responded to a questionnaire on dog control measures and ownership Society for the Protection of Animals the
the control of dogs and cats in their country constraints. Government legislation International Fund for Animal Welfare and
during the Winter of 2006 and Spring 2007. requires dog owners to undertake practical others, a report issued in 2007 is the first to
The majority of animal welfare and theoretical courses in responsible dog examine the issues surrounding the stray
organisations provided a view of opinions ownership including dog training and dog management.
on the methods used to control stray dogs behaviour. It has a diligent enforcement of
in their country. registration and licensing; fines are issued This is the concern of every country and
and collected from owners with un- every animal organisation. The report is
The definition of stray dogs varies. Any dog registered animals. It is now compulsory for intended for the use of government bodies
found unaccompanied by a responsible dogs to be microchipped, the chip number and non-governmental organisations
person in a public place may be classed as and owner/dog information is entered into a (NGOs) that are involved in dog population
a stray in some countries and collected central database. management.
accordingly.
The document shows that the management
properly resides with local or central
government. Animal Welfare NGOs should
not take on the overall responsibility other
than through contractual agreement, and
appropriate funding and resources.
At present too many stray dog control
systems do not take into account animal
welfare. The report shows that for any
control to be achieved it must be in a
humane manner. This will in turn improve
the welfare of the dog population.
The document is aiming to provide
guidance on how to assess the dog
population management needs and to
decide the most effective and resource-
efficient approach to managing the
population humanely.
No single intervention will work for all
situations, and therefore an initial
assessment and consideration of all
relevant factors must be made before
deciding on the programme design.
Government legislation requires dog owners to
The only universal consideration is the
undertake practical and theoretical courses in
need for a comprehensive programme that
focuses on the causes and not solely on
responsible dog ownership including dog training
treating the symptoms, namely the roaming
and behaviour. It has a diligent enforcement of
dog population.
registration and licensing; fines are issued and
“The poor dog, in life the firmest friend
collected from owners with un-registered animals.
The First to welcome, foremost to defend”
Lord Byron.
K9MAGAZINE 39
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