Last week saw the JMICAWE’s Director Prof Nat Waran and Veterinary Outreach Manager Heather Bacon in Chile, for the start of a joint initiative between Edinburgh University's Jeanne Marchig International Animal Welfare Centre and the Sustainability Research Centre at Universidad Andres Bello.
The purpose
of the one day workshop was to bring together key Researchers, Academics,
Policy Makers and NGOs to discuss the issues relating to interactions between
people and dogs in Chile. The objective was to develop a joint understanding of
the human- dog relationship and to explore how, through research and policy, it
may be possible to use evidence-based humane approaches to managing health and
welfare concerns relating to increasing dog ownership.
These concerns can include pet behaviour problems, pet neglect and
abandonment and associated high numbers of dogs in shelters, as well as public
health and animal welfare issues associated with increasing number of stray and
street dogs within Chile.
Dogs present an international dilemma. In most countries they are
considered to be ‘man’s best friend’,
and pet numbers are increasing along with veterinary treatment possibilities
and a strong pet food and product industry. Yet they are also considered as
pests, being seen in some parts of the world as a
public health problem due to dog bites and associated injuries, as well as the risk
of disease or parasite transmission, such as rabies.
The number of dogs in Chile is estimated to be over 3 million, with a median
human per dog ratio of 4.8. As with other parts
of the world, the presence of an uncontrolled canine population poses risks not
just to the health and welfare of the public, but also environmental health
risks and concerns for the welfare of the dogs themselves.
Dogs are
attracted to places where humans live and often this will bring them into
conflict resulting in damage to property and injury to humans and dogs. Because
stray dogs are so clearly visible in the streets, they attract the attention of
the public and tourists, with rising numbers of dog bites sometimes leading to
life-threatening consequences. In various parts of the world, management
of the expanding dog population has involved the implementation of animal
breeding control programmes along with vaccinations campaigns to tackle
zoonotic disease risks, alongside education programmes for children to help
with safety awareness.
We will keep you
up-to-date with our work in Chile, but in the mean time if you are interested
in learning more about Street dogs, why not watch our short film dedicated to
them on YouTube?
No comments:
Post a Comment