Using Natural Marks to Estimate Free-Ranging Dog <i>Canis Familiaris</i> Abundance in a Mark-Resight Framework in Suburban Mumbai, India

Punjabi, Girish Arjun; Athreya, Vidya; Linnell, John Durrus

doi:10.1177/194008291200500408

Cited by 32 publications

(50 citation statements)

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“…The estimated human-to-free-roaming dog ratio of 828:1 is relatively high compared to international studies presumably due to high human density in Dhaka City. The dog density (dogs/km 2 ) estimate in Dhaka City is moderate compared to other Asian cities which range from 5.78 in Timor Leste to 2,930 in Kathmandu, Nepal, with human-to-dog ratio ranging from 4.7:1 in Kathmandu to 23:1 in Timor Leste [ 15 , 18 , 19 ]. In contrast, Hossain et al, [ 4 ] estimated 14 dogs per km 2 with human-to-dog ratio of 120:1 in rural Bangladesh.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Free-Roaming Dog Population Estimation and Status of the Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Program in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Tenzin

Ahmed

Debnath³

et al. 2015

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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Beginning January 2012, a humane method of dog population management using a Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (CNVR) program was implemented in Dhaka City, Bangladesh as part of the national rabies control program. To enable this program, the size and distribution of the free-roaming dog population needed to be estimated. We present the results of a dog population survey and a pilot assessment of the CNVR program coverage in Dhaka City. Free-roaming dog population surveys were undertaken in 18 wards of Dhaka City on consecutive days using mark-resight methods. Data was analyzed using Lincoln-Petersen index-Chapman correction methods. The CNVR program was assessed over the two years (2012–2013) whilst the coverage of the CNVR program was assessed by estimating the proportion of dogs that were ear-notched (processed dogs) via dog population surveys. The free-roaming dog population was estimated to be 1,242 (95 % CI: 1205–1278) in the 18 sampled wards and 18,585 dogs in Dhaka City (52 dogs/km2) with an estimated human-to-free-roaming dog ratio of 828:1. During the two year CNVR program, a total of 6,665 dogs (3,357 male and 3,308 female) were neutered and vaccinated against rabies in 29 of the 92 city wards. A pilot population survey indicated a mean CNVR coverage of 60.6% (range 19.2–79.3%) with only eight wards achieving > 70% coverage. Given that the coverage in many neighborhoods was below the WHO-recommended threshold level of 70% for rabies eradications and since the CNVR program takes considerable time to implement throughout the entire Dhaka City area, a mass dog vaccination program in the non-CNVR coverage area is recommended to create herd immunity. The findings from this study are expected to guide dog population management and the rabies control program in Dhaka City and elsewhere in Bangladesh.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Free-Roaming Dog Population Estimation and Status of the Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Program in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Tenzin

Ahmed

Debnath³

et al. 2015

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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“…The high proportion of owned dogs that were roaming in the streets highlights the need for good legislation on responsible dog ownership, as well as strict implementation of the law to avoid the roaming of owned dogs (WHO and WSPA, 1990;ICAMC, 2007;OIE, 2010 Therefore, other reliable marking method such as photographic recapture method may be used to reduce the bias since there is no physical disturbance to the dogs (Punjabi et al, 2012;Belo et al, 2015).. Nevertheless, this study generated baseline data on the population of owned and stray dogs in Bhutan which will be useful for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of dog population and rabies control programs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Size and demography pattern of the domestic dog population in Bhutan: Implications for dog population management and disease control

Rinzin

Tenzin²,

Robertson

2016

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

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“…An estimate of the total roaming dog population may be requested for planning or evaluating an intervention. However, this measure of abundance is time-consuming to establish, requiring repeated surveys of naturally or artificially marked samples of roaming dogs (for example [ 7 ] and [ 8 ]); the estimates are also subject to biases that are difficult to quantify. Abundance also requires clear definition in the context of a population consisting of a mixture of unowned and unconfined owned dogs, should it for example include those owned dogs that may only venture out of their owner’s property for a few minutes each morning?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direct Observation of Dog Density and Composition during Street Counts as a Resource Efficient Method of Measuring Variation in Roaming Dog Populations over Time and between Locations

Hiby¹,

Hiby²

2017

Animals

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Simple SummaryRoaming dogs are a common sight in many countries; they can be undernourished and unwell and may be a risk to public health. Different ways of improving the situation are proposed and attempted in many locations. To see which work, we suggest measuring dog density by counting dogs along standard routes across locations and repeating those counts at the same time of year and day, being careful to count the same way each time. It is not necessary to estimate the total number of dogs because it is the number per km of street that determines how many dogs a resident will meet on their way to school or work, and reducing density and healthier dogs would be considered a success. Smartphone applications make it easy to stick to standard routes and record dogs of different types, so we can also track things like the percentage of females with pups and the percentage of dogs that are emaciated. We present examples of such counts demonstrating large differences in densities between countries. There are few examples of counts over several years but we present one showing a definite reduction in density in a location that has provided spay and neuter services for several years.AbstractDog population management is conducted in many countries to address the public health risks from roaming dogs and threats to their welfare. To assess its effectiveness, we need to monitor indicators from both the human and dog populations that are quick and easy to collect, precise and meaningful to intervention managers, donors and local citizens. We propose that the most appropriate indicators from the roaming dog population are population density and composition, based on counting dogs along standard routes using a standard survey protocol. Smart phone apps are used to navigate and record dogs along standard routes. Density expressed as dogs seen per km predicts the number of dogs residents will encounter as they commute to work or school and is therefore more meaningful than total population size. Composition in terms of gender, age and reproductive activity is measured alongside welfare, in terms of body and skin condition. The implementation of this method in seven locations reveals significant difference in roaming dog density between locations and reduction in density within one location subject to intervention. This method provides a resource efficient and reliable measure of roaming dog density, composition and welfare for the assessment of intervention impact.

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Using Natural Marks to Estimate Free-Ranging Dog Canis Familiaris Abundance in a Mark-Resight Framework in Suburban Mumbai, India

Cited by 32 publications

References 31 publications

Free-Roaming Dog Population Estimation and Status of the Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Program in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Free-Roaming Dog Population Estimation and Status of the Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Program in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Size and demography pattern of the domestic dog population in Bhutan: Implications for dog population management and disease control

Direct Observation of Dog Density and Composition during Street Counts as a Resource Efficient Method of Measuring Variation in Roaming Dog Populations over Time and between Locations

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