Demographic and Ecological Survey of Dog Population in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Dog ecology is essential in understanding the distribution, structure, and population density of dogs and pattern of dog ownership in any given area. A cross-sectional study was designed to study dog ecology in Aba, Abia state, Nigeria, from April to June 2013. The study revealed that the 500 households surveyed possessed 5,823 individuals and 747 dogs, giving a dog to human ratio of 1 : 7.8; hence dog population in Aba was estimated to be 68,121. About 495/747 (66.3%) of the dogs were exotic and 465/747 (62.2%) were males. A total of 319/500 (63.8%) of the households had fences that restrained dog movement and there was no incidence of dog bite in 447/500 (89.4%) of the households surveyed. There were statistical associations between vaccination against antirabies and breeds of dogs (χ 2 = 79.8, df = 2, P < 0.005). Exotic breed (adjusted OR = 0.39; CI = 0.23–0.65) and local breed of dogs (adjusted OR = 0.08; CI = 0.04–0.14) had less odds of being vaccinated as compared to crossbreed of dogs. About 126 dogs (2.5 dogs per street) were estimated from street counts survey. The relative high dog to human ratio and low vaccination coverage of owned dogs population pose public health concerns requiring adequate public health education and proper antirabies vaccination coverage of dogs in the study area.

Canine parvovirus (CPV‐2) variants circulating in Nigerian dogs

“…This bias may simply reflect a preference for imported breeds by clients who can afford veterinary care for companion animals in Nigeria. This is supported by reports that 66 per cent of the case load of Nigerian clinics are ‘non-indigenous’ dogs (Otolorin and others 2014). …”

Dog population and ecology in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) main campus and Bomo village, Kaduna state, Nigeria

“…Again, the ABU urban dog-to-human ratio was far less than the 1:4.1 dog-to-human ratio obtained in urban households of Bauchi (Atuman et al, 2014); 1:4 in Benue state (Omude et al, 2010); 1:4.5 in Zimbabwe (Brooks, 1990); 1:5 in Madagascar (Ratsitorahina et al, 2009);and 1:4.3 in Mexico (Flores-Ibarra & Estrella-Valenzuela, 2004). It is interesting to note that the ABU dog-to-human ratio is completely similar to that of 1:7.8 in Abia state (Otolorin et al, 2014). Although, according to Franti et al (1974) increased dog population correlate with financial earnings and position of dog owners.…”

Dog ecology and its implications for rabies control in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

“…A major contributing factor to the high dog population numbers was the increased need for security for which most dogs were used (72.5%). This was reported in Lagos, Nigeria (Hambolu et al., ); however, there may be regional variation within countries as the majority of the dogs were used for breeding and as a source of income (Otolorin, Umoh, and Dzikwi (). Understanding the reasons for dog ownership is important because management and motivations may plausibly vary greater between different groups, particularly dogs kept for security versus those kept as companions.…”

“…However, Otolorin et al. () reported the use of exotic bred dogs as a source of income in eastern part of Nigeria.…”