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Nocerino M, Pepe P, Bosco A, Ciccone E, Maurelli MP, Boué F, Umhang G, Pellegrini J, Lahmar S, Said Y, Sotiraki S, Ligda P, Laatamna A, Saralli G, Paciello O, Alterisio MC, Rinaldi L. An innovative strategy for deworming dogs in Mediterranean areas highly endemic for cystic echinococcosis. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:86. [PMID: 38395867 PMCID: PMC10893745 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06184-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, is a zoonotic parasitic disease of economic and public health importance worldwide, especially in the Mediterranean area. Canids are the main definitive hosts of the adult cestode contaminating the environment with parasite eggs released with feces. In rural and peri-urban areas, the risk of transmission to livestock as well as humans is high because of the free-roaming behavior of owned/not owned dogs. Collecting data on animal movements and behavior using GPS dataloggers could be a milestone to contain the spread of this parasitosis. Thus, this study aims to develop a comprehensive control strategy, focused on deworming a dog population in a pilot area of southern Italy (Campania region) highly endemic for CE. METHODS Accordingly, five sheep farms, tested to be positive for CE, were selected. In each sheep farm, all shepherd dogs present were treated every 2 months with praziquantel. Furthermore, 15 GPS dataloggers were applied to sheep and dogs, and their movements were tracked for 1 month; the distances that they traveled and their respective home ranges were determined using minimum convex polygon (MCP) analysis with a convex hull geometry as output. RESULTS The results showed that the mean daily walking distances traveled by sheep and dogs did not significantly differ. Over 90% of the point locations collected by GPS fell within 1500 mt of the farm, and the longest distances were traveled between 10:00 and 17:00. In all the sheep farms monitored, the area traversed by the animals during their daily activities showed an extension of < 250 hectares. Based on the home range of the animals, the area with the highest risk of access from canids (minimum safe convex polygon) was estimated around the centroid of each farm, and a potential scheme for the delivery of praziquantel-laced baits for the treatment of not owned dogs gravitating around the grazing area was designed. CONCLUSIONS This study documents the usefulness of geospatial technology in supporting parasite control strategies to reduce disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Nocerino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Pepe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, 80137, Naples, Italy.
| | - Antonio Bosco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, 80137, Naples, Italy
- Regional Reference Centre for Animal Health (CRESAN), Naples, Campania Region, Italy
| | - Elena Ciccone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, 80137, Naples, Italy
- Regional Reference Centre for Animal Health (CRESAN), Naples, Campania Region, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, 80137, Naples, Italy
- Regional Reference Centre for Animal Health (CRESAN), Naples, Campania Region, Italy
| | - Franck Boué
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife Diseases, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, BP 40009, 54220, Malzéville, France
| | - Gérald Umhang
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife Diseases, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, BP 40009, 54220, Malzéville, France
| | - Justine Pellegrini
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife Diseases, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, BP 40009, 54220, Malzéville, France
| | - Samia Lahmar
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Univ., Manouba, Tunisie
| | - Yousra Said
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Univ., Manouba, Tunisie
| | - Smaragda Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-Demeter, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Panagiota Ligda
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-Demeter, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - AbdElkarim Laatamna
- Laboratory of Exploration and Valorization of Steppic Ecosystems, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Djelfa, Moudjbara Road, BP 3117, Djelfa, Algeria
| | - Giorgio Saralli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri, Rome, Italy
| | - Orlando Paciello
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Alterisio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, 80137, Naples, Italy
- Regional Reference Centre for Animal Health (CRESAN), Naples, Campania Region, Italy
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Sousa FM, Warembourg C, Abakar MF, Alvarez D, Berger-Gonzalez M, Odoch T, Wera E, Chitnis N, Silva LC, Alobo G, Sikko MM, Roquel P, Hernández ALL, Dürr S. Investigation of optimized observation periods for estimating a representative home range of free-roaming domestic dogs. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22750. [PMID: 38123585 PMCID: PMC10733426 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49851-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Free-roaming domestic dogs (FRDD), as vectors of zoonotic diseases, are of high relevance for public health. Understanding roaming patterns of dogs can help to design disease control programs and disease transmission simulation models. Studies on GPS tracking of dogs report stark differences in recording periods. So far, there is no accepted number of days required to capture a representative home range (HR) of FRDD. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in HR size and shape over time of FRDD living in Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia and Uganda and identify the period required to capture stable HR values. Dogs were collared with GPS units, leading to a total of 46 datasets with, at least, 19 recorded days. For each animal and recorded day, HR sizes were estimated using the Biased Random Bridge method and percentages of daily change in size and shape calculated and taken as metrics. The analysis revealed that the required number of days differed substantially between individuals, isopleths, and countries, with the extended HR (95% isopleth value) requiring a longer recording period. To reach a stable HR size and shape values for 75% of the dogs, 26 and 21 days, respectively, were sufficient. However, certain dogs required more extended observational periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Maximiano Sousa
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Charlotte Warembourg
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Danilo Alvarez
- Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Monica Berger-Gonzalez
- Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Terence Odoch
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ewaldus Wera
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Nakul Chitnis
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Laura Cunha Silva
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Grace Alobo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Maria M Sikko
- Animal Health Division, Agricultural Department of Sikka Regency, Flores, Indonesia
| | - Pablo Roquel
- Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | | | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Sorenson MS, Kutz SJ, Collicutt AC, Bailot RJE, Anderson KL, Orsel K. Can intake data inform on impacts of repeated subsidized onsite spay-neuter clinics for dogs? THE CANADIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL = LA REVUE VETERINAIRE CANADIENNE 2023; 64:1149-1157. [PMID: 38046419 PMCID: PMC10637709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Objective Subsidized dog care and population management programs (DPM) are often implemented for dog population control where for-profit veterinary care is inaccessible. However, impacts of such programs are rarely assessed. The goal of this project was to determine if and how previously collected intake data from ongoing high-volume spay-neuter clinics could be used to measure impacts of such DPM programs. Animals We used intake data collected from 2008 to 2019 from spay-neuter clinics that had been delivered repeatedly over a 10-year period in 6 First Nations communities in Alberta, to assess changes in intake dog characteristics. Procedures Numbers of dogs brought in for spay-neuter surgery or surrendered, and their ages, sexes, breeds, weights, and body condition scores were compared. Reasons for surrender were investigated and socioeconomic factors were investigated as possible drivers for community differences in clinic participation rates and clinic sex ratios. Results Socioeconomic indicators did not differ between the 6 participating communities; however, the total number of clinics requested by communities varied. In early years, female dogs were more likely to be brought to the clinics to be spayed whereas, in later years, more males were seen. The age at which animals were brought in for spay or neuter decreased over time (P < 0.05) but the surrender age did not. Breed proportions of x-large, small, and x-small breeds varied over time for both spay-neuter and surrender dogs (P < 0.05), with large-breed dogs always being the most common. However, there was an increase in small and x-small breeds in the final years of the study. Finally, weight status, a calculated estimate of body condition of spay-neuter dogs, increased over time within large and medium breeds, whereas the body condition score of surrendered dogs shifted from "thin" to "ideal" over time. Conclusions and clinical relevance This work highlights the potential and challenges of using intake data to assess impacts of spay-neuter clinics that occur repeatedly over many years in the same communities. Overall increased weight status, high participation rates, and reduction of age at intake suggest positive effects of the assessed spay-neuter programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan S Sorenson
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6 (Sorenson, Kutz, Orsel); Canadian Animal Task Force, Calgary, Alberta T2E 6T5 (Collicutt, Bailot); Canine Behaviour and Research, Dogs Trust, London EC1V 7RQ, UK (Anderson)
| | - Susan J Kutz
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6 (Sorenson, Kutz, Orsel); Canadian Animal Task Force, Calgary, Alberta T2E 6T5 (Collicutt, Bailot); Canine Behaviour and Research, Dogs Trust, London EC1V 7RQ, UK (Anderson)
| | - Alanna C Collicutt
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6 (Sorenson, Kutz, Orsel); Canadian Animal Task Force, Calgary, Alberta T2E 6T5 (Collicutt, Bailot); Canine Behaviour and Research, Dogs Trust, London EC1V 7RQ, UK (Anderson)
| | - R J E Bailot
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6 (Sorenson, Kutz, Orsel); Canadian Animal Task Force, Calgary, Alberta T2E 6T5 (Collicutt, Bailot); Canine Behaviour and Research, Dogs Trust, London EC1V 7RQ, UK (Anderson)
| | - Katharine L Anderson
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6 (Sorenson, Kutz, Orsel); Canadian Animal Task Force, Calgary, Alberta T2E 6T5 (Collicutt, Bailot); Canine Behaviour and Research, Dogs Trust, London EC1V 7RQ, UK (Anderson)
| | - Karin Orsel
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6 (Sorenson, Kutz, Orsel); Canadian Animal Task Force, Calgary, Alberta T2E 6T5 (Collicutt, Bailot); Canine Behaviour and Research, Dogs Trust, London EC1V 7RQ, UK (Anderson)
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Nasiry Z, Mazlan M, Noordin MM, Mohd Lila MA. Evaluation of Dynamics, Demography and Estimation of Free-Roaming Dog Population in Herat City, Afghanistan. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13071126. [PMID: 37048382 PMCID: PMC10093563 DOI: 10.3390/ani13071126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
FRDs pose a serious challenge in countries where dog-bite-related rabies is endemic. Understanding the size and core demographic characteristics of FRD populations is essential for the planning and implementation of effective dog-population and canine-rabies-control programmes. The photographic sight-resight method was used to estimate the FRD population and evaluate its demographic characteristics in Herat city. A total of 928 free-roaming dogs (FRD) were identified through 3172 sightings, and the total free-roaming population was estimated to amount to 1821 (95% CI: 1565-2077), which led to the estimation of 10 dogs/km2 and the human-to-FRD ratio of 315:1. The male-to-female ratio was 2.85:1. The majority of them were healthy, with an ideal body score. Although the FRD density is considered low, it is still a concern and significant, since the majority of the people are unaware of the importance of canine populations in the transmission of zoonotic diseases such as rabies, and there were no specific measures for managing and controlling FRD populations. The information gained can be useful in animal health planning to design effective dog-population-control programmes, and for the planning of national rabies-prevention programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zabihullah Nasiry
- Department of Veterinary Pathology & Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Paraclinic, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Herat University, Herat 3001, Afghanistan
| | - Mazlina Mazlan
- Department of Veterinary Pathology & Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mustapha M Noordin
- Department of Veterinary Pathology & Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Azmi Mohd Lila
- Department of Veterinary Pathology & Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
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de Melo SN, da Silva ES, Ribeiro RAN, Soares PHA, Cunha AKR, de Souza Gonçalves CM, Melo FDS, Horta MAP, Teixeira-Neto RG, Belo VS. The Influence of Community Feeders and Commercial Food Outlets on the Spatial Distribution of Free-Roaming Dogs-A Photographic Capture and Recapture Study. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050824. [PMID: 36899681 PMCID: PMC10000244 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the distribution of dogs in the environment is relevant for establishing human and animal health actions. In the present study, we analyzed the influence of community feeders and commercial food outlets on the spatial distribution of free-roaming dogs in an urban area of a municipality in Southeast Brazil. The dogs were identified via photographic capture and recapture performed over five sampling efforts. The spatial densities of dogs were determined using the Kernel method. Spatial correlations between the distribution of free-roaming dogs and the locations of community feeders and commercial food outlets were analyzed using the K function. During the study, 1207 captures/recaptures were performed encompassing 554 dogs, the majority (62.6%) of which were males. Agglomerations of male and female dogs were observed in the areas where food was present. Positive spatial autocorrelations were detected between the distribution of dogs and food sources. The median distances between dogs and community feeders or commercial food outlets were 1.2 and 1.4 km, respectively, and the difference between these two was statistically significant. The presence of community feeders and food outlets demonstrates the influence of human activity, on the spatial distribution of free-roaming dogs. These results will be useful for developing strategies aimed at the improvement of animal welfare and the prevention of zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saulo Nascimento de Melo
- Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Sérgio da Silva
- Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Vinícius Silva Belo
- Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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Schüttler E, Jiménez JE. Are Tourists Facilitators of the Movement of Free-Ranging Dogs? Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243564. [PMID: 36552483 PMCID: PMC9774271 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs are the most abundant carnivores on earth and, as such, negatively impact wildlife. Free-ranging dogs roam in many protected areas, which in turn are often tourist destinations. Whether tourists influence their roaming is largely unexplored but highly relevant to wildlife conservation. To address this question, we obtained (i) 81 completed questionnaires from tourists on their experience with free-ranging dogs in the remote Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Chile, and (ii) photographs of three camera-traps placed next to trekking trails (n = 87 trap days). A third of the participants were followed by dogs for up to four days, and 39% saw free-ranging dogs on their hikes, but neither feeding dogs nor fear of them had any influence on whether tourists were followed by dogs. Camera-traps yielded 53 independent dog sequences, recorded 32 individuals plus 14 unidentified dogs, of which only one was leashed, with a frequency of one dog every 28th person. In 17% of 53 sequences, dogs were photographed together with hikers carrying large backpacks for several-day trips. We conclude that tourists are facilitators for the movement of dogs and highlight the importance of the engagement of the tourism sector in wildlife conservation in and close to protected areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Schüttler
- Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, Universidad de Magallanes, Teniente Muñoz 166, Puerto Williams 6350000, Chile
- Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), O’Higgins 310, Puerto Williams 6350000, Chile
- Correspondence:
| | - Jaime E. Jiménez
- Department of Biological Sciences and Advanced Environmental Research Institute (AERI), University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305220, Denton, TX 76203, USA
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Cunha Silva L, Friker B, Warembourg C, Kanankege K, Wera E, Berger-González M, Alvarez D, Dürr S. Habitat selection by free-roaming domestic dogs in rabies endemic countries in rural and urban settings. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20928. [PMID: 36463285 PMCID: PMC9719531 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25038-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestic dogs can affect human health through bites and pathogen transmission, particularly in resource-poor countries where dogs, including owned ones, predominantly roam freely. Habitat and resource selection analysis methods are commonplace in wildlife studies but have not been used to investigate the environmental resource use of free-roaming domestic dogs (FRDD). The present study implements GPS devices to investigate habitat selection by FRDD from an urban site and a rural site in Indonesia, and one urban and two rural sites in Guatemala (N = 321 dogs). Spatial mixed effects logistic regression models, accounting for heterogeneous distribution of the resources, showed that patterns of habitat selection by FRDD were similar across study sites. The most preferred resources were anthropogenic, being buildings and roads, which implies selection for human proximity. Vegetation and open fields were less preferred and steep terrain was avoided, indicating that FRDD were synanthropic and that their space patterns likely optimised energy use. Results presented here provide novel data on FRDD habitat selection patterns, while improving our understanding of dog roaming behaviour. These findings provide insights into possible high-risk locations for pathogen transmission for diseases such as rabies, and can assist management authorities in the planning and deployment of efficient disease control campaigns, including oral vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cunha Silva
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland ,grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Brian Friker
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Warembourg
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kaushi Kanankege
- grid.17635.360000000419368657College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN USA
| | - Ewaldus Wera
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Monica Berger-González
- grid.8269.50000 0000 8529 4976Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala ,grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danilo Alvarez
- grid.8269.50000 0000 8529 4976Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Salome Dürr
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Lyons MA, Malhotra R, Thompson CW. Investigating the free-roaming dog population and gastrointestinal parasite diversity in Tulúm, México. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276880. [PMID: 36301991 PMCID: PMC9612467 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-roaming domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) pose major conservation and public health risks worldwide. To better understand the threat of domestic dogs to wildlife and people and add to the growing literature on free-roaming dog ecology, a study was conducted to estimate the dog population in Tulúm, México. A modified mark-recapture technique and program MARK were used to obtain dog population estimates along six different transects dividing the city. Population estimates ranged from 19.75 dogs in one transect to 101.841 dogs in another, with 150 total dogs identified throughout the study and an estimated minimum population density of 48.57 dogs/km2. Fecal samples were also opportunistically collected for parasite identification through fecal flotation analysis using the McMaster technique. Out of 25 samples collected, 19 tested positive for gastrointestinal parasites with the most common species found being Ancylostoma caninum, followed by Toxocara canis, Dipylidium caninum, and Cystoisospora spp. Parasite loads ranged from 50 to 10,700 ova per gram of feces. The large population of free-roaming dogs and the prevalence of three zoonotic parasites highlight the importance of understanding free-roaming dog ecology and educating the public on the health risks free-roaming dogs pose. Los perros callejeros (Canis lupus familiaris) representan un gran riesgo para la conservación de animales y la salud pública mundialmente. Para comprender mejor la amenaza que significan los perros domésticos para la fauna silvestre y los humanos y aportar a la creciente bibliografía sobre la ecología de los perros callejeros, se realizó una investigación para estimar la población de los perros en Tulúm, México. Se utilizó una técnica modificada de marcado y recaptura junto con el programa MARK para estimar la población canina en seis transectos de la ciudad. Los estimados varían desde 19.75 perros en un transecto hasta 101,841 en otro, con un total de 150 perros identificados en el transcurso de la investigación y una densidad mínima estimada de 48,57 perros/km2. Además, se hizo una recolección oportunista de muestras de heces para la identificación de parásitos por medio del análisis de flotacíon fecal, con el método McMaster. De las 25 muestras recolectadas, 19 resultaron positivas para parásitos gastrointestinales, de las cuales las especies más comunes fueron Ancylostomoa caninum, seguida por Toxocara canis, Dipylidium caninum, y Cystoisospora spp. Las cargas parasitarias variaron desde 50 hasta 10.700 óvulos por gramo de heces. La alta población de perros callejeros y la prevalencia de tres enfermedades zoonóticas resaltan la importancia de entender la ecología de los perros callejeros y educar al público sobre los riesgos que significan los perros callejeros para la salud.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Lyons
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Rumaan Malhotra
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Cody W. Thompson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Novák K, Helena C, Václav B, Ivona S, Marek K. Factors affecting locomotor activity of search and rescue dogs: The importance of terrain, vegetation and dog certification. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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10
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Schüttler E, Saavedra-Aracena L, Jiménez JE. Spatial and temporal plasticity in free-ranging dogs in sub-Antarctic Chile. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Sparkes J, Körtner G, Ballard G, Fleming PJ. Spatial and temporal activity patterns of owned, free-roaming dogs in coastal eastern Australia. Prev Vet Med 2022; 204:105641. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2022.105641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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De la Puente‐Arévalo M, Motta P, Dürr S, Warembourg C, Nikola C, Burdon‐Bailey J, Mayer D, Lohr F, Gibson AD, Chikungwa P, Chulu J, Gamble L, Anderson NE, Bronsvoort BMD, Mellanby RJ, Mazeri S. Ranging patterns and factors associated with movement in free-roaming domestic dogs in urban Malawi. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8498. [PMID: 35127025 PMCID: PMC8794712 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabies is a neglected zoonotic disease that causes around 59,000 deaths per year globally. In Africa, rabies virus is mostly maintained in populations of free-roaming domestic dogs (FRDD) that are predominantly owned. Characterizing the roaming behavior of FRDD can provide relevant information to understand disease spread and inform prevention and control interventions. To estimate the home range (HR) of FRDD and identify predictors of HR size, we studied 168 dogs in seven different areas of Blantyre city, Malawi, tracking them with GPS collars for 1-4 days. The median core HR (HR50) of FRDD in Blantyre city was 0.2 ha (range: 0.08-3.95), while the median extended HR (HR95) was 2.14 ha (range: 0.52-23.19). Multivariable linear regression models were built to identify predictors of HR size. Males presented larger HR95 than females. Dogs living in houses with a higher number of adults had smaller HR95, while those living in houses with higher number of children had larger HR95. Animals that received products of animal origin in their diets had larger HR95, and only in the case of females, animals living in low-income areas had larger HR50 and HR95. In contrast, whether male dogs were castrated or not was not found to be associated with HR size. The results of this study may help inform rabies control and prevention interventions in Blantyre city, such as designing risk-based surveillance activities or rabies vaccination campaigns targeting certain FRDD subpopulations. Our findings can also be used in rabies awareness campaigns, particularly to illustrate the close relationship between children and their dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paolo Motta
- European Commission for the Control of Foot‐and‐Mouth DiseaseFAORomeItaly
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Charlotte Warembourg
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Julius Chulu
- Department of Animal Health and Livestock DevelopmentLilongweMalawi
| | | | - Neil E. Anderson
- The Roslin Institute and The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary CentreUniversity of EdinburghMidlothianUK
| | - Barend M deC. Bronsvoort
- The Epidemiology, Economics and Risk Assessment Group, The Roslin Institute and The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary CentreThe University of EdinburghMidlothianUK
| | - Richard J. Mellanby
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Hospital for Small Animals, The Roslin Institute and The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary CentreThe University of EdinburghMidlothianUK
| | - Stella Mazeri
- Mission RabiesCranborneUK
- The Epidemiology, Economics and Risk Assessment Group, The Roslin Institute and The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary CentreThe University of EdinburghMidlothianUK
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13
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A Pilot Study to Develop an Assessment Tool for Dogs Undergoing Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) in Italy. An Overview on the National Implementation of TNR Programmes. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113107. [PMID: 34827842 PMCID: PMC8614265 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This paper describes the development of a tool to assess the welfare of dogs recruited in trap-neuter-release (TNR) programmes and the Italian situation involving the implementation of these programmes. The TNR approach has been proposed as an alternative to long-term sheltering to control the rising population of free-roaming dogs. The protocol was developed on the basis of a shelter quality protocol (SQP). The measures included in the protocol were integrated with other welfare indicators proposed in the scientific literature. Nine Italian regions out of 20 (all from central and southern Italy) prescribe by law the implementation of TNR programmes. A varied scenario and some critical issues related to the TNR approach for the management of the dog population emerged. The findings, although preliminary, suggest that the protocol could be a useful tool for the assessment of dog welfare. Abstract A descriptive analysis, inter-observer and test–retest reliability of the animal-based measures (ABMs) included in the protocol were performed. This study aimed at the development of a welfare assessment protocol for dogs recruited in the trap-neuter-release (TNR) programmes and the description of the implantation of these programmes in Italy. Nine Italian regions carried out TNR programmes. A varied scenario, along with some critical issues, emerged. Fifty dogs were recruited and assessed simultaneously by two assessors to determine the reliability of ABMs included in the protocol. A subsample of ten dogs were assessed three times to assess test–retest reliability. All females were neutered against 36% of males. Most dogs were adults (58%) and of a large size (68%). Vaccine prophylaxis and parasitic prevention were regular in 13% and 76% of dogs, respectively. Few dogs showed lameness, evidence of pain, other clinical problems, or thermal discomfort. Overall, 82% of dogs did not show fear or aggression to unfamiliar people. The level of agreement between the two assessors was quite high, ranging from substantial (0.61–0.80) to perfect (1) for the majority of measures. This study highlighted some critical issues in TNR implementation and the suitability of the protocol as a tool for animal welfare assessment.
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Baker T, Rock M, Bondo K, van der Meer F, Kutz S. 11 years of regular access to subsidized veterinary services is associated with improved dog health and welfare in remote northern communities. Prev Vet Med 2021; 196:105471. [PMID: 34509773 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Access to veterinary services can have positive impacts on animal health and welfare, and on human mental and physical health and well-being; however, many communities worldwide lack access to such services. At their request, the 5 communities of the Sahtu Settlement Area, Northwest Territories, Canada, have received annual access to preventive veterinary services through the University of Calgary's Northern Community Health Rotation since 2008. To determine the reach of the program, we conducted a dog census in 2017. We then conducted a chart review of 11 years of dog medical records from 2008 to 2018 to evaluate how the reach of the program, the uptake of veterinary services, and dog population demographics, health and welfare measures changed over the duration of the program. In the chart review, we used either multi-level logistic regression or generalized linear models, to determine how seven variables, including age, sex, breed, body condition, deworming, vaccination, and sterilization status upon clinic entry, changed over the course of program delivery. Our results suggest that program reach, veterinary service uptake, and dog demographic, health and welfare measures improved over time. We observed high rabies vaccination coverage in some communities (48 %-83 % of the dog population) and moderate overall sterilization status (25 %-56 % of the dog population) with female dog sterilization more common than male (75 % of dogs leaving the 2017 clinics, compared to 43 %). Several dog demographic, health, and welfare measures, including age, body condition, and vaccination, deworming, and sterilization status, were significantly better in later years of the program (all p < 0.001). Differences among communities, both in dog population numbers from the 2017 census (40-89 dogs) and in the uptake of veterinary services in 2017 (48 %-83 % of the dog population), were notable. Vaccination uptake was directly related to clinic attendance, but sterilization was impacted by additional factors, including community members' acceptance of the procedure. Some unintended consequences were noted, however, including the potential effect of sterilization on the availability of traditional dog breeds in the communities. Overall, our study findings demonstrate that subsidized veterinary services provided over a regular and extended period of time benefit animal population demographics, health and welfare, and could have positive impacts on human well-being. The framework of community collaboration and long-term commitment developed through this program serves as a model for achieving common health goals among communities in need and veterinary service providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Baker
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Melanie Rock
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada.
| | - Kristin Bondo
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada.
| | - Frank van der Meer
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada.
| | - Susan Kutz
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada.
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15
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D’Aniello B, Scandurra A, Pinelli C, Marinelli L, Mongillo P. Is this love? Sex differences in dog-owner attachment behavior suggest similarities with adult human bonds. Anim Cogn 2021; 25:137-148. [PMID: 34355289 PMCID: PMC8904329 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-021-01545-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences in the behavioral responses of Labrador Retriever dogs in the Strange Situation Test were explored. Behaviors expressed by dogs during seven 3-min episodes were analyzed through a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The scores of factors obtained were analyzed with a Generalized Linear Mixed Model to reveal the effects of the dog's sex and age and the owner's sex. In Episode 1 (dog and owner) and 5 (dog alone), the PCA identified three and two factors, respectively, which overall explained 68.7% and 59.8% of the variance, with no effect of sex. In Episodes 2 (dog, owner, and stranger), 3 and 6 (dog and stranger), and 4 and 7 (dog and owner), the PCA identified four factors, which overall explained 51.0% of the variance. Effects of sex were found on: Factor 1 (distress), with lower scores obtained by females in Episode 2 and higher in Episode 3; Factor 2 (sociability), which was overall higher in females; Factor 3 (separation-distress), with females, but not males, obtaining higher scores when left with the stranger than when with the owner. Therefore, females were overall more social but seemed more affected than males by the owner's absence. Parallels can be traced between our results and sex differences found in adult human romantic attachment, suggesting that the dog-owner bond has characteristics that are not found in the infant-mother relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biagio D’Aniello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Scandurra
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Pinelli
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Lieta Marinelli
- Laboratory of Applied Ethology, Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD Italy
| | - Paolo Mongillo
- Laboratory of Applied Ethology, Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD Italy
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16
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Saavedra-Aracena L, Grimm-Seyfarth A, Schüttler E. Do dog-human bonds influence movements of free-ranging dogs in wilderness? Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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17
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Bryce CM. Dogs as Pets and Pests: Global Patterns of Canine Abundance, Activity, and Health. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:154-165. [PMID: 33940621 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs (Canis familiaris) were the first domesticated species and, at an estimated population of 1 billion individuals, are globally ubiquitous today. Describing the tremendous morphometric diversity and evolutionary origins of dogs is a scientific endeavor that predates Darwin, yet our interdisciplinary understanding of the species is just beginning. Here, I present global trends in dog abundance, activity, and health. While the human-dog relationship has for millennia been close, it is also complicated. As pets, companion dogs are often treated as family members and constitute the largest sector of the ever-growing >$200 billion USD global pet care industry. As pests, free-roaming dogs are an emerging threat to native species via both predation and nonconsumptive effects (e.g., disturbance, competition for resources, and hybridization). Furthermore, I briefly discuss mounting evidence of dogs as not only infectious disease reservoirs but also as bridges for the transmission of pathogens between wild animals and humans in zoonotic spillover events, triggering intensive dog population management strategies such as culling. Dog mobility across the urban-wildland interface is an important driver for this and other adverse effects of canines on wildlife populations and is an active topic of disease ecologists and conservation biologists. Other canine scientists, including veterinary clinicians and physiologists, study more mechanistic aspects of dog mobility: the comparative kinetics, kinematics, and energetics of dog locomotor health. I outline the prevalent methodological approaches and breed-specific findings within dog activity and health research, then conclude by recognizing promising technologies that are bridging disciplinary gaps in canine science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb M Bryce
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
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18
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Causal Loop Analysis Can Identify Solutions to Complex Dog Management Problems in Remote Australian Aboriginal Communities. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041056. [PMID: 33918029 PMCID: PMC8070079 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Population and health management of dogs and cats in remote communities is challenging due to limited access to veterinary services and high reproductive rates. Financial support for companion animal management within communities is limited and programs delivered by external providers rarely achieve sustainable outcomes. An alternative approach, whereby community participation is enlisted from the beginning before implementing any interventions, may help to achieve sustainable improvements in animal populations and to improve animal health. To this end, stakeholders were interviewed and it was determined that dog overpopulation was the overarching issue. Focus group discussions were then conducted with three of the four same stakeholder groups to uncover the main causes of this issue, followed by solutions being generated that the community could undertake to address the issue. Similar causes were discussed and multiple solutions were developed, with education and training prioritised as the top solutions by all three groups. These will require transformational social adaptations to build the capacity of the local community to implement the solutions. Abstract Companion animal management in Australian remote Aboriginal communities (rAcs) is a complex problem with multiple stakeholders involved, with differing needs, knowledge, power and resources. The Comm4Unity (Cycle of Multiple Methods for Unity—For Community) approach was designed to address such problems. This study represents the second step of the Comm4Unity framework, where a causal loop analysis (CLA) was adapted and tested as a tool to address the issue of dog overpopulation in Wurrumiyanga, and in particular the systemic causes of the problem and necessary transformational management solutions. Ten focus group discussions (FGDs) were held amongst three of the four stakeholder groups identified during the first step in the analysis. The CLA identified 13 positive feedback loops, which drive vicious cycles and perpetuate the dog overpopulation issue. All three groups agreed and developed 22 solutions to address the causes of dog overpopulation. Despite the differences in the framings of the three groups, “training” and “education” were both the top priority solutions for all three groups. The majority of the solutions discussed by the groups were not only transformational but also social, requiring collaboration. This study was successful in so far as transformational actions were co-developed by all FGDs, which may have also built capacity and agency amongst the local community to implement them as a cohesive group.
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19
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Crozet G, Lacoste ML, Rivière J, Robardet E, Cliquet F, Dufour B. Management practices of dog and cat owners in France (pet traveling, animal contact rates and medical monitoring): Impacts on the introduction and the spread of directly transmitted infectious pet diseases. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:1256-1273. [PMID: 33787076 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A number of owner practices among the pet dog and cat population can influence the dynamics of directly transmitted infectious dog and cat diseases, including zoonotic ones. To better depict these management practices, which include pet traveling, contact rates with other companion animals and their medical monitoring (which herein includes prevention aspects), we surveyed 2,122 dog- and/or cat-owning French households through an anonymous online questionnaire. Trips with dogs within the European Union (EU) were frequent, while cats travelled less frequently within the EU and both cats and dogs travelled less frequently outside the EU. Recurrent illegal trips with dogs and cats (non-compliant with regulatory measures) were observed in a context of non-systematic pet border controls. We found that a large proportion of dogs are taken for walks in metropolitan France, with frequent intraspecific contacts (1.4 contacts/day on average), but only a minority (1.4%) of dogs were allowed to roam freely. On the other hand, 59.7% of cat owners allowed their cats to roam freely. We classified pet owners according to different profiles, some of which may be considered 'at risk' for directly transmitted infectious pet diseases. Indeed, one dog owner profile and one cat owner profile depict 'spreaders' of pet diseases (high connectivity with other individuals, little medical monitoring but no traveling) and another dog owner profile describes a potential 'introducer' and 'spreader' of pet diseases (foreign travel, high connectivity with other individuals, and intermediate medical monitoring). While these 'at risk' profiles represent only a minority of French pet owners, they should be better characterized to reinforce targeted prevention designed to minimize the risk of (re)introduction and (re)emergence of directly transmitted infectious dog and cat diseases in France, especially when considering zoonoses with a significant potential impact, such as rabies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Crozet
- Anses, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale USC EPIMAI, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Marie-Laure Lacoste
- Anses, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale USC EPIMAI, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Julie Rivière
- Anses, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale USC EPIMAI, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Emmanuelle Robardet
- Nancy OIE/WHO/EU Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, Anses, Malzéville, France
| | - Florence Cliquet
- Nancy OIE/WHO/EU Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, Anses, Malzéville, France
| | - Barbara Dufour
- Anses, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale USC EPIMAI, Maisons-Alfort, France
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20
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Warembourg C, Wera E, Odoch T, Bulu PM, Berger-González M, Alvarez D, Abakar MF, Maximiano Sousa F, Cunha Silva L, Alobo G, Bal VD, López Hernandez AL, Madaye E, Meo MS, Naminou A, Roquel P, Hartnack S, Dürr S. Comparative Study of Free-Roaming Domestic Dog Management and Roaming Behavior Across Four Countries: Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Uganda. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:617900. [PMID: 33748208 PMCID: PMC7970034 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.617900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs play a major role in public health because of potential transmission of zoonotic diseases, such as rabies. Dog roaming behavior has been studied worldwide, including countries in Asia, Latin America, and Oceania, while studies on dog roaming behavior are lacking in Africa. Many of those studies investigated potential drivers for roaming, which could be used to refine disease control measures. However, it appears that results are often contradictory between countries, which could be caused by differences in study design or the influence of context-specific factors. Comparative studies on dog roaming behavior are needed to better understand domestic dog roaming behavior and address these discrepancies. The aim of this study was to investigate dog demography, management, and roaming behavior across four countries: Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Uganda. We equipped 773 dogs with georeferenced contact sensors (106 in Chad, 303 in Guatemala, 217 in Indonesia, and 149 in Uganda) and interviewed the owners to collect information about the dog [e.g., sex, age, body condition score (BCS)] and its management (e.g., role of the dog, origin of the dog, owner-mediated transportation, confinement, vaccination, and feeding practices). Dog home range was computed using the biased random bridge method, and the core and extended home range sizes were considered. Using an AIC-based approach to select variables, country-specific linear models were developed to identify potential predictors for roaming. We highlighted similarities and differences in term of demography, dog management, and roaming behavior between countries. The median of the core home range size was 0.30 ha (95% range: 0.17-0.92 ha) in Chad, 0.33 ha (0.17-1.1 ha) in Guatemala, 0.30 ha (0.20-0.61 ha) in Indonesia, and 0.25 ha (0.15-0.72 ha) in Uganda. The median of the extended home range size was 7.7 ha (95% range: 1.1-103 ha) in Chad, 5.7 ha (1.5-27.5 ha) in Guatemala, 5.6 ha (1.6-26.5 ha) in Indonesia, and 5.7 ha (1.3-19.1 ha) in Uganda. Factors having a significant impact on the home range size in some of the countries included being male dog (positively), being younger than one year (negatively), being older than 6 years (negatively), having a low or a high BCS (negatively), being a hunting dog (positively), being a shepherd dog (positively), and time when the dog was not supervised or restricted (positively). However, the same outcome could have an impact in a country and no impact in another. We suggest that dog roaming behavior is complex and is closely related to the owner's socioeconomic context and transportation habits and the local environment. Free-roaming domestic dogs are not completely under human control but, contrary to wildlife, they strongly depend upon humans. This particular dog-human bound has to be better understood to explain their behavior and deal with free-roaming domestic dogs related issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Warembourg
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ewaldus Wera
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Terence Odoch
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Petrus Malo Bulu
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Monica Berger-González
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danilo Alvarez
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | | | - Filipe Maximiano Sousa
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Laura Cunha Silva
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Grace Alobo
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Valentin Dingamnayal Bal
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Enos Madaye
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Maria Satri Meo
- Animal Health Division, Agricultural Department of Sikka Regency, Flores, Indonesia
| | - Abakar Naminou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Pablo Roquel
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Sonja Hartnack
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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21
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Warembourg C, Wera E, Odoch T, Bulu PM, Berger-González M, Alvarez D, Abakar MF, Maximiano Sousa F, Cunha Silva L, Alobo G, Bal VD, López Hernandez AL, Madaye E, Meo MS, Naminou A, Roquel P, Hartnack S, Dürr S. Comparative Study of Free-Roaming Domestic Dog Management and Roaming Behavior Across Four Countries: Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Uganda. Front Vet Sci 2021. [PMID: 33748208 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.617900/full#b11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs play a major role in public health because of potential transmission of zoonotic diseases, such as rabies. Dog roaming behavior has been studied worldwide, including countries in Asia, Latin America, and Oceania, while studies on dog roaming behavior are lacking in Africa. Many of those studies investigated potential drivers for roaming, which could be used to refine disease control measures. However, it appears that results are often contradictory between countries, which could be caused by differences in study design or the influence of context-specific factors. Comparative studies on dog roaming behavior are needed to better understand domestic dog roaming behavior and address these discrepancies. The aim of this study was to investigate dog demography, management, and roaming behavior across four countries: Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Uganda. We equipped 773 dogs with georeferenced contact sensors (106 in Chad, 303 in Guatemala, 217 in Indonesia, and 149 in Uganda) and interviewed the owners to collect information about the dog [e.g., sex, age, body condition score (BCS)] and its management (e.g., role of the dog, origin of the dog, owner-mediated transportation, confinement, vaccination, and feeding practices). Dog home range was computed using the biased random bridge method, and the core and extended home range sizes were considered. Using an AIC-based approach to select variables, country-specific linear models were developed to identify potential predictors for roaming. We highlighted similarities and differences in term of demography, dog management, and roaming behavior between countries. The median of the core home range size was 0.30 ha (95% range: 0.17-0.92 ha) in Chad, 0.33 ha (0.17-1.1 ha) in Guatemala, 0.30 ha (0.20-0.61 ha) in Indonesia, and 0.25 ha (0.15-0.72 ha) in Uganda. The median of the extended home range size was 7.7 ha (95% range: 1.1-103 ha) in Chad, 5.7 ha (1.5-27.5 ha) in Guatemala, 5.6 ha (1.6-26.5 ha) in Indonesia, and 5.7 ha (1.3-19.1 ha) in Uganda. Factors having a significant impact on the home range size in some of the countries included being male dog (positively), being younger than one year (negatively), being older than 6 years (negatively), having a low or a high BCS (negatively), being a hunting dog (positively), being a shepherd dog (positively), and time when the dog was not supervised or restricted (positively). However, the same outcome could have an impact in a country and no impact in another. We suggest that dog roaming behavior is complex and is closely related to the owner's socioeconomic context and transportation habits and the local environment. Free-roaming domestic dogs are not completely under human control but, contrary to wildlife, they strongly depend upon humans. This particular dog-human bound has to be better understood to explain their behavior and deal with free-roaming domestic dogs related issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Warembourg
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ewaldus Wera
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Terence Odoch
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Petrus Malo Bulu
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Monica Berger-González
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danilo Alvarez
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | | | - Filipe Maximiano Sousa
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Laura Cunha Silva
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Grace Alobo
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Valentin Dingamnayal Bal
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Enos Madaye
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Maria Satri Meo
- Animal Health Division, Agricultural Department of Sikka Regency, Flores, Indonesia
| | - Abakar Naminou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Pablo Roquel
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Sonja Hartnack
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Collinson A, Bennett M, Brennan ML, Dean RS, Stavisky J. Evaluating the role of surgical sterilisation in canine rabies control: A systematic review of impact and outcomes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008497. [PMID: 32845886 PMCID: PMC7449413 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Current recommendations for the elimination of canine-mediated human rabies focus on mass dog vaccination as the most feasible and cost-effective strategy. However, attempts to control rabies are often combined with canine surgical sterilisation programmes. The added value of sterilisation is widely debated. A systematic review was undertaken to compare the outcomes and impact of vaccination and sterilisation programmes with vaccination only programmes. A systematic search of three electronic databases (CAB Abstracts, Medline and Global Health) and grey literature was performed. From 8696 abstracts found, 5554 unique studies were identified, and 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. Eight described vaccination only programmes and eight described vaccination and sterilisation programmes. Indicators of impact measured were dog bites and/or doses of post-exposure prophylaxis administered; numbers of dog and/or human rabies cases; dog population demographic changes; changes in health and welfare of dogs, and indicators related to human behaviour change. The studies were contextually very diverse, programmes being implemented were complex, and there was variation in measurement and reporting of key indicators. Therefore, it was difficult to compare the two types of intervention, and impossible to make an evaluation of the role of sterilisation, using this evidence. Given the large number of vaccination and sterilisation programmes conducted globally, the lack of studies available for review highlights a gap in data collection or reporting, essential for impact assessment. There are several knowledge gaps concerning the impact of the sterilisation component alone, as well as subsequent effects on rabies transmission and control. Prospective studies comparing the outcomes and impact of the two interventions would be required in order to establish any additional contribution of sterilisation, as well as the underlying mechanisms driving any changes. In the absence of such evidence, the priority for rabies control objectives should be implementation of mass vaccination, as currently recommended by the World Health Organisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abi Collinson
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
| | - Malcolm Bennett
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
| | - Marnie L. Brennan
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jenny Stavisky
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
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de Melo SN, da Silva ES, Barbosa DS, Teixeira-Neto RG, Lacorte GA, Horta MAP, Cardoso DT, Werneck GL, Struchiner CJ, Belo VS. Effects of Gender, Sterilization, and Environment on the Spatial Distribution of Free-Roaming Dogs: An Intervention Study in an Urban Setting. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:289. [PMID: 32537462 PMCID: PMC7266977 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Information concerning the factors affecting the circulation and distribution of free-roaming dogs is crucial in developing control actions and limiting the spread of zoonoses. The present study analyzes the influence of gender, sterilization, and environment on the spatial distribution of free-roaming dogs in urban settings. Animals were captured/recaptured in seven consecutive morning sampling efforts conducted at 2-monthly intervals in control and intervention areas in a medium-size town in southeastern Brazil. Capture locations were georeferenced and captured animals were microchipped before being released at their original capture sites. Dogs captured in the intervention area were subjected additionally to surgical sterilization prior to release. Home range (HR) areas were calculated by applying the minimum convex polygon method to dogs that had been captured at least three times. Land coverage zones were determined from satellite images and overlaid on maps of the study areas along with the locations of 22 commercial food outlets. HR areas showed a global mean of 448 m2 and a median of 28 m2, values that were smaller than those reported previously for dogs in rural regions. The median HR of females (64.m2) was higher than that of males (15 m2), while median HRs of animals in the control and intervention areas were similar (27 and 28.5 m2, respectively). Variability of HR was high, although animals with small HRs predominated. Free-roaming dogs grouped primarily in urbanized and transitional regions, and their spatial distribution was positively correlated with locations of commercial food outlets. While sterilization did not influence HR size, the search for food was a key factor in determining mobility and spatial aggregation of free-roaming dogs. Our findings are pertinent in understanding the ecology of free-roaming dogs in urban environments and will be applicable to strategies aimed at promoting animal welfare and preventing the dissemination of zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eduardo Sergio da Silva
- Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Divinópolis, Brazil
| | - David Soeiro Barbosa
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Gustavo Augusto Lacorte
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Minas Gerais, Campus Bambuí, Bambuí, Brazil
| | | | - Diogo Tavares Cardoso
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Loureiro Werneck
- Departamento de Epidemiologia, Instituto de Medicina Social, Universidade Do Estado Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudio José Struchiner
- Departamento de Epidemiologia, Instituto de Medicina Social, Universidade Do Estado Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Fundação Getúlio Vargas, Escola de Matemática Aplicada, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Silva Belo
- Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Divinópolis, Brazil
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López-Pérez AM, Orozco L, Zazueta OE, Fierro M, Gomez P, Foley J. An exploratory analysis of demography and movement patterns of dogs: New insights in the ecology of endemic Rocky Mountain-Spotted Fever in Mexicali, Mexico. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233567. [PMID: 32437470 PMCID: PMC7241830 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An outbreak of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) transmitted by the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato) has emerged as a major human and animal health concern in Mexicali, Mexico. Due to high rates of brown dog tick infestation, susceptibility, and association with humans, dogs serve as sentinels and have a key role in the ecology of RMSF. A cross-sectional household questionnaire study was conducted in six rural and urban locations to characterize dog ecology and demography in RMSF high-and low-risk areas of Mexicali. In addition, we tracked movement patterns of 16 dogs using a GPS data logger. Of 253 households, 73% owned dogs, and dog ownership tended to be higher in high-risk areas, with a mean dog:human ratio of 0.43, compared with 0.3 in low-risk areas. Dogs in high-risk areas had higher fecundity and roamed more, but the dog density and numbers of free-roaming dogs were comparable. There was a higher proportion of younger dogs and lower proportion of older dogs in high-risk areas. The high proportion of immunologically naïve puppies in high risk areas could result in a lack of herd immunity leading to a more vulnerable dog and human population. The marked increase of space use of free-roaming dogs in high-risk areas suggests that unrestrained dogs could play an important role in spreading ticks and pathogens. As means to limit RMSF risk, practical changes could include increased efforts for spay-neuter and policies encouraging dog restraint to limit canine roaming and spread of ticks across communities; due to dog density is less impactful such policies may be more useful than restrictions on the number of owned dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés M. López-Pérez
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Libertad Orozco
- Área de Investigación en Biología de la Conservación, Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Lerma, Lerma de Villada, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Oscar E. Zazueta
- Secretaria de Salud Pública del Estado de Baja California, Mexicali, Mexico
| | - Maria Fierro
- Public Health Department, Imperial County, El Centro, California, United States of America
| | - Paola Gomez
- Secretaria de Salud Pública del Estado de Baja California, Mexicali, Mexico
| | - Janet Foley
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
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Abstract
Domestic dogs display complex roaming behaviours, which need to be captured to more realistically model the spread of rabies. We have previously shown that roaming behaviours of domestic dogs can be categorised as stay-at-home, roamer and explorer in the Northern Peninsular Area (NPA), Queensland, Australia. These roaming behaviours are likely to cause heterogeneous contact rates that influence the speed or pattern of rabies spread in a dog population. The aim of this study was to define contact spatial kernels using the overlap of individual dog utilisation distributions to describe the daily probability of contact between pairs of dogs exhibiting these three a priori roaming behaviours. We further aimed to determine if the kernels lead to different predicted rabies outbreaks (outbreak duration and number of rabid dogs) by incorporating the spatial kernels into a previously developed rabies spread model for the NPA. Spatial kernels created with both dogs in a pair being explorers or one dog explorer and one dog roamer (who roamed away from their residence) produced short but large outbreaks compared with spatial kernels with at least one stay-at-home dog. Outputs from this model incorporating heterogeneous contacts demonstrate how roaming behaviours influence disease spread in domestic dog populations.
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26
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Can sterilization help to prevent roaming in owned dogs and cats? Res Vet Sci 2020; 129:180-184. [PMID: 32058880 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In many locations, the highest proportion of roaming dogs and cats, might have owners. The prevention of roaming in owned dogs and cats is a key intervention to reduce the number of unsupervised animals in public spaces. Sterilization is an important population management intervention but it is unclear if, apart from its effects on birth rates and animal behavior, it also affects the roaming status of owned dogs and cats. We formulated a directed acyclic graph to represent a causal hypothesis regarding the effect of sex, age and sterilization on roaming behavior in owned dogs and cats. The causal hypothesis was tested using survey data and Bayesian multilevel logistic regressions. The odds of roaming were lower in sterilized dogs and cats but the credible interval (CI) supported the effect of sterilization only for dogs. The odds of roaming were higher in both male dogs and cats and the CI supported the effect of sex. The CI did not support the effect of age on roaming, irrespective of species. If the observed association between sterilization and roaming was causal, then sterilization may contribute to a reduction in roaming. Studies on other populations and the exploration of other potential determinants of roaming are required to better understand the causal relationship between sterilization and roaming.
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Hudson EG, Brookes VJ, Dürr S, Ward MP. Modelling targeted rabies vaccination strategies for a domestic dog population with heterogeneous roaming patterns. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007582. [PMID: 31283780 PMCID: PMC6638970 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Australia is currently canine rabies free. However, communities located on the northern coastline-such as the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), Queensland-are at risk of an incursion due to their large populations of susceptible free-roaming dogs and proximity to rabies-infected Indonesian islands. A rabies-spread model was used to simulate potential outbreaks and evaluate various disease control strategies. A heterogeneous contact structure previously described in the population of interest-explorer dogs, roamer dogs and stay-at-home dogs-was incorporated into the model using six spatial kernels describing contacts between dog roaming categories. Twenty-seven vaccination strategies were investigated based on a complete block design of 50%, 70% and 90% coverage for each of the three roaming categories to simulate various targeted vaccination strategies. The 27 strategies were implemented in four population structures in which the proportion of dogs in each category varied-explorer dominant, roamer dominant, stay-at-home dominant and a field population (based on field estimates of population structure). The overall vaccination coverage varied depending on the subpopulation targeted for vaccination and the population structure modelled. A total of 108 scenarios were simulated 2000 times and the model outputs (outbreak size and duration) were compared to Strategy 14 (a standard recommended overall 70% vaccination coverage). In general, targeting explorer dogs-and to a lesser extent roamer dogs-produced similar outbreaks to Strategy 14 but with a lower overall vaccination coverage. Similarly, strategies that targeted stay-at-home dogs required a higher vaccination coverage to produce significantly smaller and shorter outbreaks. This study provides some theoretical evidence that targeting subpopulations of dogs for vaccination based on their roaming behaviours (and therefore risk of rabies transmission) could be more efficient than blanket 70% vaccination campaigns. Such information can be used in preparedness planning to help improve control of a potential rabies incursion in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily G. Hudson
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
| | - Victoria J. Brookes
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Liebefeld, Switzerland
| | - Salome Dürr
- Charles Sturt University, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Michael P. Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
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28
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Kwan NCL, Inoue M, Yamada A, Sugiura K. Evaluating the contact rate between companion dogs during dog walking and the practices towards potential cases of rabies among dog owners in Japan. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:393-400. [DOI: 10.1111/zph.12573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nigel C. L. Kwan
- Department of Global Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Mai Inoue
- Department of Global Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Akio Yamada
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Katsuaki Sugiura
- Department of Global Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
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29
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Ribeiro FS, Nichols E, Morato RG, Metzger JP, Pardini R. Disturbance or propagule pressure? Unravelling the drivers and mapping the intensity of invasion of free‐ranging dogs across the Atlantic forest hotspot. DIVERS DISTRIB 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando S. Ribeiro
- Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | | | - Ronaldo G. Morato
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Carnívoros Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade Atibaia São Paulo Brazil
| | - Jean Paul Metzger
- Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | - Renata Pardini
- Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
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30
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Melo SN, Teixeira-Neto RG, Werneck GL, Struchiner CJ, Ribeiro RAN, Sousa LR, de Melo MOG, Carvalho Júnior CG, Penaforte KM, Manhani MN, Aquino VV, Silva ES, Belo VS. Prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis in A population of free-roaming dogs as determined by multiple sampling efforts: A longitudinal study analyzing the effectiveness of euthanasia. Prev Vet Med 2018; 161:19-24. [PMID: 30466654 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Free-roaming dogs affected by visceral leishmaniasis (VL) contribute to the geographical expansion of the disease and require special attention from health authorities. The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalences of VL in a population of free-roaming dogs in an endemic region of Brazil, to establish the spatial distribution of infected dogs, and to examine the effectiveness of euthanasia of infected dogs in controlling the disease in this particular population. Dogs were captured every two months during seven sampling efforts. Capture locations were georeferenced and captured dogs were assessed for the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a screening test and the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) as the confirmatory procedure. Dogs that were seropositive by both assays were considered infected and were submitted to immediate euthanasia. After the end of the collection period, stored sera were evaluated with the Dual-Path Platform test (DPP). Animals positive by this method and by ELISA were also considered infected as currently recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Spatial analysis was performed using the Kernel technique. A total of 328 dogs were captured at least once during the sampling period, 25 (7.6%) of them were seropositive by ELISA and IFAT and 27 (8.2%) by DPP and ELISA. The prevalence of VL showed an overall decreasing trend. However, even with periodical euthanasia, it was not possible to eliminate the infection and increased prevalences were observed in the fourth and seventh samplings. There was a high overall agreement between the two criteria for defining infection. None of the dogs that tested negative by IFAT at the first capture seroconverted in the subsequent captures but a number of dogs exhibited changes in serological status over time. From the three dogs initially tested negative by ELISA and IFAT, but tested positive by the protocol currently adopted in Brazil, two became negative in subsequent recaptures. Spatial analysis revealed that infected animals concentrated in areas with a high density of free-roaming dogs. The existence of VL among homeless dogs may contribute significantly in the persistence of the disease among the human population, despite the practice of periodical euthanasia. The operational and ethical implications associated with euthanasia of free-roaming dogs, and the failure to control the transmission of VL among this particular population, led us to conclude that interventions promoting responsible ownership of pets may be a more effective strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saulo N Melo
- Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Rua Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho 400, 35501-296, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Rafael G Teixeira-Neto
- Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Rua Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho 400, 35501-296, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Guilherme L Werneck
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Departamento de Epidemiologia, Instituto de Medicina Social, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Claudio J Struchiner
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Departamento de Epidemiologia, Instituto de Medicina Social, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Fundação Getúlio Vargas, Escola de Matemática Aplicada, Praia de Botafogo 190, 22250-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Renata A N Ribeiro
- Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Rua Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho 400, 35501-296, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Lorena R Sousa
- Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Rua Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho 400, 35501-296, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcella O G de Melo
- Prefeitura Municipal de Divinópolis, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Rua Minas Gerais 500, 35500-007, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Clóvis G Carvalho Júnior
- Prefeitura Municipal de Divinópolis, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Rua Minas Gerais 500, 35500-007, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Klauber M Penaforte
- Universidade José do Rosário Vellano, Campus Divinópolis, Avenida Tedinho Alvim 1000, 5502-634, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Marianna N Manhani
- Centro Universitário Una, BR 262, km 480, 35600-000, Bom Despacho, MG, Brazil
| | - Vanessa V Aquino
- Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Rua Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho 400, 35501-296, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Eduardo S Silva
- Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Rua Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho 400, 35501-296, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Vinícius S Belo
- Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Rua Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho 400, 35501-296, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil.
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Zoonotic Helminth Diseases in Dogs and Dingoes Utilising Shared Resources in an Australian Aboriginal Community. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:tropicalmed3040110. [PMID: 30297603 PMCID: PMC6306763 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3040110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The impacts of free-roaming canids (domestic and wild) on public health have long been a concern in Australian Indigenous communities. We investigated the prevalence of zoonotic helminth diseases in dogs and sympatric dingoes, and used radio telemetry to measure their spatial overlap, in an Aboriginal community in the Wet Tropics of Australia. Samples collected from dingoes and dogs showed high levels of infection with the zoonotic hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum. Dingoes were also positive for A. ceylanicum infection (11.4%), but dogs were infection free. Whipworm, Trichuris vulpis, infection was far more prevalent in necropsies of domestic dogs (78.6%) than dingoes (3.7%). Dogs were free from Dirofilaria immitis infection, while dingoes recorded 46.2% infection. Eleven dingoes and seven free-roaming domestic dogs were fitted with Global Positioning System collars and tracked over an extended period. Dingo home-ranges almost completely overlapped those of the domestic dogs. However, dingoes and dogs did not utilise the same area at the same time, and dogs may have avoided dingoes. This spatial overlap in resource use presents an opportunity for the indirect spill-over and spill-back of parasites between dogs and dingoes. Tracking and camera traps showed that the community rubbish tip and animal carcasses were areas of concentrated activity for dogs and dingoes.
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Dog and Cat Interactions in a Remote Aboriginal Community. Animals (Basel) 2018; 8:ani8050065. [PMID: 29701647 PMCID: PMC5981276 DOI: 10.3390/ani8050065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Australian remote Aboriginal communities commonly have large, free-roaming dog populations and relatively small cat populations. However, cats are becoming increasingly popular pets in these communities and it is essential to determine their potential impacts on wildlife to inform animal management practices. In a small island community, this study provided baseline population demographics and investigated dog and cat roaming behaviours and interspecific interactions. The dog population, estimated at 343 dogs, showed active periods at dawn and dusk. The cat population had doubled in 6 months to approximately 83 cats. Cats were observed roaming mainly from dawn until dusk, possibly avoiding periods when dogs were most active. The majority of cats were observed nonroaming. Three cats, however, were captured roaming during the night when all flightless wildlife were observed on our camera traps, suggesting potential impact on local wildlife through their hunting activities. These baseline data provide evidence on which to base management programs that include cats and their impacts on native wildlife. Further research using the multiple methods piloted in this study are warranted to monitor dog and cat populations and their interactions in this island community. Abstract This study examined dog and cat demographics, roaming behaviours, and interspecific interactions in a remote Aboriginal island community using multiple methods. Our results revealed temporal differences between the roaming behaviours of dogs, cats, and wildlife. Dogs showed crepuscular behaviour, being active around dawn (5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.) and dusk (6:00 p.m. and 11:35 p.m.). The majority of cats were active between dawn (6:30 a.m.) and dusk (7:30 p.m.) and travelled shorter distances than dogs. However, some cats were also observed roaming between dusk and dawn, and were likely to be hunting since flightless wildlife were also recorded on our remote-sensing cameras during this time. These baseline data provide evidence to suggest that new management programs are needed to reduce the number of roaming cats and therefore their potential impacts on native wildlife. Collaborations between Aboriginal owners and other stakeholders is necessary to design innovative and effective animal management and policy on the island.
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Howse MS, Anderson RE, Walsh CJ. Social behaviour of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) in a public off-leash dog park. Behav Processes 2018; 157:691-701. [PMID: 29549031 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2018.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study examines the activity budgets and social behaviours initiated and received by 69 focal dogs in an off-leash dog park for 400 s after entry, a time of high activity about which little is known. Using motivationally-neutral labels for social behaviour categories, we describe the frequency of behaviours, and correlations among them. We then examine these relationships in the context of proposed functions for some behaviours in dogs, in terms of information gathering and communication, including visual and tactile signalling. Time spent with other dogs decreased rapidly over the visit, and much of this early interaction involved greeting the park newcomer. Snout-muzzle contact behaviours were ubiquitous, while other behaviours were rarely observed, including aggressive behaviours. Correlations among certain non-contact behaviours initiated and received by focal dogs are consistent with their function as visual signals that may influence the continuation and form of social interactions, and their possible role in social mimicry (i.e., play bow and pull-rear away). Age, sex, and number of dogs present in the park influenced specific aspects of dogs' activity budgets, and a few behaviours. This ethological study provides fundamental data on dog social behaviour in dog parks, about which surprisingly little has been published.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa S Howse
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Graduate Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, A1B 3X9, NL, Canada
| | - Rita E Anderson
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, A1B 3X9, NL, Canada
| | - Carolyn J Walsh
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, A1B 3X9, NL, Canada.
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Nimer A, Meneses N, Watson ZD, Shuster SM, Benford R. Population survey and management strategies of free-roaming dogs (Canis familiaris) on Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2018; 21:170-184. [DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2017.1406801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adrianna Nimer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Nashelly Meneses
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Zachary D. Watson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Stephen M. Shuster
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Russell Benford
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
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36
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Hudson EG, Brookes VJ, Dürr S, Ward MP. Domestic dog roaming patterns in remote northern Australian indigenous communities and implications for disease modelling. Prev Vet Med 2017; 146:52-60. [PMID: 28992928 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Although Australia is canine rabies free, the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), Queensland and other northern Australian communities are at risk of an incursion due to proximity to rabies infected islands of Indonesia and existing disease spread pathways. Northern Australia also has large populations of free-roaming domestic dogs, presenting a risk of rabies establishment and maintenance should an incursion occur. Agent-based rabies spread models are being used to predict potential outbreak size and identify effective control strategies to aid incursion preparedness. A key component of these models is knowledge of dog roaming patterns to inform contact rates. However, a comprehensive understanding of how dogs utilise their environment and the heterogeneity of their movements to estimate contact rates is lacking. Using a novel simulation approach - and GPS data collected from 21 free-roaming domestic dogs in the NPA in 2014 and 2016 - we characterised the roaming patterns within this dog population. Multiple subsets from each individual dog's GPS dataset were selected representing different monitoring durations and a utilisation distribution (UD) and derived core (50%) and extended (95%) home ranges (HR) were estimated for each duration. Three roaming patterns were identified, based on changes in mean HR over increased monitoring durations, supported by assessment of maps of daily UDs of each dog. Stay-at-home dogs consolidated their HR around their owner's residence, resulting in a decrease in mean HR (both core and extended) as monitoring duration increased (median peak core and extended HR 0.336 and 3.696ha, respectively). Roamer dogs consolidated their core HR but their extended HR increased with longer monitoring durations, suggesting that their roaming patterns based on place of residence were more variable (median peak core and extended HR 0.391 and 6.049ha, respectively). Explorer dogs demonstrated large variability in their roaming patterns, with both core and extended HR increasing as monitoring duration increased (median peak core and extended HR 0.650 and 9.520ha, respectively). These findings are likely driven by multiple factors that have not been further investigated within this study. Different roaming patterns suggest heterogeneous contact rates between dogs in this population. These findings will be incorporated into disease-spread modelling to more realistically represent roaming patterns and improve model predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily G Hudson
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia.
| | - Victoria J Brookes
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Liebefeld, Switzerland
| | - Michael P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
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37
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Fahrion AS, Taylor LH, Torres G, Müller T, Dürr S, Knopf L, de Balogh K, Nel LH, Gordoncillo MJ, Abela-Ridder B. The Road to Dog Rabies Control and Elimination-What Keeps Us from Moving Faster? Front Public Health 2017; 5:103. [PMID: 28555183 PMCID: PMC5430047 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabies, a vaccine preventable neglected tropical disease, still claims an estimated 35,000-60,000 human lives annually. The international community, with more than 100 endemic countries, has set a global target of 0 human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030. While it has been proven in several countries and regions that elimination of rabies as a public health problem is feasible and tools are available, rabies deaths globally have not yet been prevented effectively. While there has been extensive rabies research, specific areas of implementation for control and elimination have not been sufficiently addressed. This article highlights some of the commonest perceived barriers for countries to implementing rabies control and elimination programs and discusses possible solutions for sociopolitical, organizational, technical, and resource-linked requirements, following the pillars of the global framework for the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies adopted at the global rabies meeting in December 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S. Fahrion
- Neglected Zoonotic Diseases, Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Thomas Müller
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Löffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lea Knopf
- Neglected Zoonotic Diseases, Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Katinka de Balogh
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Louis H. Nel
- Global Alliance for Rabies Control, Manhattan, KS, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Bernadette Abela-Ridder
- Neglected Zoonotic Diseases, Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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38
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Dürr S, Dhand NK, Bombara C, Molloy S, Ward MP. What influences the home range size of free-roaming domestic dogs? Epidemiol Infect 2017; 145:1339-1350. [PMID: 28202088 PMCID: PMC10027489 DOI: 10.1017/s095026881700022x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
In many regions of the world domestic dogs are free roaming and live in close relationship with humans. These free-roaming domestic dogs (FRDD) can cause public health problems such as dog bites and transmission of infectious diseases. To effectively control diseases transmitted by FRDD, knowledge on the dogs' behaviour is required. To identify predictors of home range (HR) size, we collected global positioning system data from 135 FRDD living in eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Northern Australia. The core HR size ranged from 0·17 to 2·33 ha and the extended HR size from 0·86 to 40·46 ha. Using a linear mixed effect model with a Restricted Maximum Likelihood approach, the dog's sex and reproductive status were identified as predictors of roaming. Non-castrated males had the largest HRs, followed by neutered females. Also, FRDDs were found to roam further during the pre- than the post-wet season. These findings have implications for infectious disease spread. Identification of risk groups for disease spread within a population allows for more targeted disease response and surveillance. Further investigation of predictors of roaming in other FRDD populations worldwide would increase the external validity of such studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty,University of Bern,Switzerland
| | - N K Dhand
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science,The University of Sydney,Australia
| | - C Bombara
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science,The University of Sydney,Australia
| | - S Molloy
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science,The University of Sydney,Australia
| | - M P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science,The University of Sydney,Australia
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39
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Molloy S, Burleigh A, Dürr S, Ward MP. Roaming behaviour of dogs in four remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory, Australia: preliminary investigations. Aust Vet J 2017; 95:55-63. [PMID: 28239863 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Revised: 05/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the home range (HR) and investigate the potential predictors for roaming of 58 dogs in four Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. DESIGN Prospective study. PROCEDURE Global positioning system (GPS) collars were attached to the dogs for 1-4 days, recording location fixes every 1-3 min. Utilisation distributions (UDs) and extended (95% isopleth) and core (50% isopleth) HRs of dogs were determined. Potential predictors of roaming were assessed. RESULTS Estimated core (median, 0.27 ha) and extended (median, 3.1 ha) HRs differed significantly (P = 0.0225 and 0.0345, respectively) between the four communities; dogs in the coastal community travelled significantly (P < 0.0001) more per day than dogs in the three inland communities studied. Significant associations were found between extended HR size and sex (P = 0.0050) and sex + neuter (P = 0.0218), and between core HR size and sex (P = 0.0010), neuter status (P = 0.0255) and sex + neuter (P = 0.0025). Entire males roamed more than neutered females. The core HR of dogs with poor/fair body condition scores (BCSs) was larger than dogs with ideal/obese BCSs (P = 0.0394). Neutered male dogs also travelled more per day than entire female dogs (P = 0.0475). CONCLUSIONS Roaming information can be used to inform the management of dogs in remote communities and to design disease control programs. Widespread data collection across the Northern Territory should be undertaken to further investigate the associations found in this study, considering that data were collected during relatively short periods of time in one season.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Molloy
- The University of Sydney, School of Veterinary Science, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia
| | - A Burleigh
- Aboriginal Community Veterinary Services, Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - S Dürr
- University of Bern, Veterinary Public Health Institute, Bern, Switzerland
| | - M P Ward
- The University of Sydney, School of Veterinary Science, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia
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Johnstone-Robertson SP, Fleming PJS, Ward MP, Davis SA. Predicted Spatial Spread of Canine Rabies in Australia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005312. [PMID: 28114327 PMCID: PMC5289603 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Modelling disease dynamics is most useful when data are limited. We present a spatial transmission model for the spread of canine rabies in the currently rabies-free wild dog population of Australia. The introduction of a sub-clinically infected dog from Indonesia is a distinct possibility, as is the spillover infection of wild dogs. Ranges for parameters were estimated from the literature and expert opinion, or set to span an order of magnitude. Rabies was judged to have spread spatially if a new infectious case appeared 120 km from the index case. We found 21% of initial value settings resulted in canine rabies spreading 120km, and on doing so at a median speed of 67 km/year. Parameters governing dog movements and behaviour, around which there is a paucity of knowledge, explained most of the variance in model outcomes. Dog density, especially when interactions with other parameters were included, explained some of the variance in whether rabies spread 120km, but dog demography (mean lifespan and mean replacement period) had minimal impact. These results provide a clear research direction if Australia is to improve its preparedness for rabies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter J. S. Fleming
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Orange, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael P. Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Narellan, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen A. Davis
- RMIT School of Science, Mathematical and Geospatial Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Paschoal AMO, Massara RL, Bailey LL, Kendall WL, Doherty PF, Hirsch A, Chiarello AG, Paglia AP. Use of
A
tlantic
F
orest protected areas by free‐ranging dogs: estimating abundance and persistence of use. Ecosphere 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria O. Paschoal
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Avenida Antônio Carlos, no. 6627 Belo Horizonte MG 31270‐901 Brazil
- Instituto SerraDiCal de Pesquisa e Conservação Rua José Hemetério de Andrade, no. 570 Belo Horizonte MG 30493‐180 Brazil
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University 1474 Campus Delivery, 109 Wagar Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - Rodrigo L. Massara
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Avenida Antônio Carlos, no. 6627 Belo Horizonte MG 31270‐901 Brazil
- Instituto SerraDiCal de Pesquisa e Conservação Rua José Hemetério de Andrade, no. 570 Belo Horizonte MG 30493‐180 Brazil
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University 1474 Campus Delivery, 109 Wagar Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - Larissa L. Bailey
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University 1474 Campus Delivery, 109 Wagar Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - William L. Kendall
- U.S. Geological Survey Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Colorado State University 1484 Campus Delivery Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - Paul F. Doherty
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University 1474 Campus Delivery, 109 Wagar Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - André Hirsch
- Programa Institucional de Bioengenharia Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei km 47 – Rodovia MG 424 Sete Lagoas MG 35701‐970 Brazil
| | - Adriano G. Chiarello
- Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto Universidade de São Paulo Avenida Bandeirantes, no. 3900 Ribeirão Preto SP 14040‐901 Brazil
| | - Adriano P. Paglia
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Avenida Antônio Carlos, no. 6627 Belo Horizonte MG 31270‐901 Brazil
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Sparkes J, Ballard G, Fleming PJS, van de Ven R, Körtner G. Contact rates of wild-living and domestic dog populations in Australia: a new approach. Oecologia 2016; 182:1007-1018. [PMID: 27660202 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-016-3720-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Dogs (Canis familiaris) can transmit pathogens to other domestic animals, humans and wildlife. Both domestic and wild-living dogs are ubiquitous within mainland Australian landscapes, but their interactions are mostly unquantified. Consequently, the probability of pathogen transfer among wild-living and domestic dogs is unknown. To address this knowledge deficit, we established 65 camera trap stations, deployed for 26,151 camera trap nights, to quantify domestic and wild-living dog activity during 2 years across eight sites in north-east New South Wales, Australia. Wild-living dogs were detected on camera traps at all sites, and domestic dogs recorded at all but one. No contacts between domestic and wild-living dogs were recorded, and limited temporal overlap in activity was observed (32 %); domestic dogs were predominantly active during the day and wild-living dogs mainly during the night. Contact rates between wild-living and between domestic dogs, respectively, varied between sites and over time (range 0.003-0.56 contacts per camera trap night). Contact among wild-living dogs occurred mainly within social groupings, and peaked when young were present. However, pup emergence occurred throughout the year within and between sites and consequently, no overall annual cycle in contact rates could be established. Due to infrequent interactions between domestic and wild-living dogs, there are likely limited opportunities for pathogen transmission that require direct contact. In contrast, extensive spatial overlap of wild and domestic dogs could facilitate the spread of pathogens that do not require direct contact, some of which may be important zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Sparkes
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia. .,Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Biosecurity NSW, Locked Bag 6006, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia. .,Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
| | - Guy Ballard
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.,Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Biosecurity NSW, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.,Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
| | - Peter J S Fleming
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.,Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Biosecurity NSW, Locked Bag 6006, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia.,Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
| | - Remy van de Ven
- Biometrics and Research Business Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia
| | - Gerhard Körtner
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.,Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Biosecurity NSW, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.,Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
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43
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Rabies disease dynamics in naïve dog populations in Australia. Prev Vet Med 2016; 131:127-136. [PMID: 27544262 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Currently, Australia is free from terrestrial rabies but an incursion from nearby Indonesia, where the virus is endemic, is a feasible threat. Here, we aimed to determine whether the response to a simulated rabies incursion would vary between three extant Australian dog populations; free-roaming domestic dogs from a remote indigenous community in northern Australia, and free-roaming domestic and wild dogs in peri-urban areas of north-east New South Wales. We further sought to predict how different management strategies impacted disease dynamics in these populations. We used simple stochastic state-transition models and dog demographic and contact rate data from the three dog populations to simulate rabies spread, and used global and local sensitivity analyses to determine effects of model parameters. To identify the most effective control options, dog removal and vaccination strategies were also simulated. Responses to simulated rabies incursions varied between the dog populations. Free-roaming domestic dogs from north-east New South Wales exhibited the lowest risk for rabies maintenance and spread. Due to low containment and high contact rates, rabies progressed rapidly through free-roaming dogs from the remote indigenous community in northern Australia. In contrast, rabies remained at relatively low levels within the north-east New South Wales wild dog population for over a year prior to an epidemic. Across all scenarios, sensitivity analyses revealed that contact rates and the probability of transmission were the most important drivers of the number of infectious individuals within a population. The number of infectious individuals was less sensitive to birth and death rates. Removal of dogs as a control strategy was not effective for any population modelled, while vaccination rates in excess of 70% of the population resulted in significant reductions in disease progression. The variability in response between these distinct dog groups to a rabies incursion, suggests that a blanket approach to management would not be effective or feasible to control rabies in Australia. Control strategies that take into account the different population and behavioural characteristics of these dog groups will maximise the likelihood of effective and efficient rabies control in Australia.
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44
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Kwok YE, von Keyserlingk MA, Sprea G, Molento CFM. Human-animal interactions of community dogs in Campo Largo, Brazil: A descriptive study. J Vet Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2016.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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