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ABSTRACT
Free-roaming dogs (FRD) represent a large proportion of the canine population in India and are often implicated as a source of conflict with humans. However, objective data on the attitudes and perceptions of local communities toward FRD are lacking. This study collected baseline data from 1141 households in Goa, India, on FRD feeding practices and assessed people’s attitudes toward FRD in urban and rural communities. Additionally, respondents identified problems caused by FRD and proposed potential solutions.
The study reported that 37% of respondents fed FRD with dog owners and Hindus being the most likely to feed. The majority of respondents agreed FRD were a menace (57%), a nuisance (58%) and scary (60%). Most respondents also agreed FRD were a vulnerable population (59%), that belong in communities (66%) and have a right to live on the streets (53%). Barking was the most commonly reported problem associated with FRD and the preferred solution was to impound FRD in shelters. This study reveals the complex and often misunderstood relationship between local communities and FRD and highlights potential strategies to reduce human–dog conflict.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express their gratitude to the students from Vidya Prabodhini College, Damodar College and Margao Government Industrial Training Institute for conducting the door-to-door surveys and to all the questionnaire respondents. The authors would like to thank Dogs Trust for their contribution to improving dog welfare in Goa through rabies control and the Government of Goa for their continued commitment to developing effective strategies for DPM and rabies control across the state.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).