Title |
Evidence supporting that human-subsidized free-ranging dogs are the main cause of animal losses in small-scale farms in Chile
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Published in |
Ambio, June 2018
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DOI | 10.1007/s13280-018-1066-3 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Diego Montecino-Latorre, William San Martín |
Abstract |
We surveyed professionals from the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture working with small-scale farmers to characterize the attacks of free-ranging dogs across Chile. Nationwide, in a single year, free-ranging dogs attacked 25% of the ca. 8500 farms included in the survey, killing or injuring about 10 000 small ruminants. These dogs were ranked as the main cause of animal losses for small-scale farmers, representing a threat to the livelihoods of this vulnerable group. Further, free-ranging dogs attacking small ruminants were considered as human-subsidized, since they would be recruited by irresponsible ownership and abandonment from urban centers. This is the first national assessment reporting that human-subsidized dogs are a main threat to livestock rearing. Policies to control populations of these animals should target their anthropogenic origin as well as cultural shifts in dog ownership and animal welfare. While these policies may be effective mid- to long-term approaches, short-term actions may also be needed. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Chile | 26 | 36% |
United States | 4 | 5% |
India | 2 | 3% |
Canada | 2 | 3% |
Argentina | 1 | 1% |
France | 1 | 1% |
Spain | 1 | 1% |
China | 1 | 1% |
Myanmar | 1 | 1% |
Other | 0 | 0% |
Unknown | 34 | 47% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 66 | 90% |
Scientists | 6 | 8% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 1 | 1% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 103 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 18 | 17% |
Researcher | 15 | 15% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 13 | 13% |
Student > Postgraduate | 5 | 5% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 5 | 5% |
Other | 17 | 17% |
Unknown | 30 | 29% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 29 | 28% |
Environmental Science | 16 | 16% |
Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine | 14 | 14% |
Social Sciences | 3 | 3% |
Unspecified | 1 | <1% |
Other | 6 | 6% |
Unknown | 34 | 33% |