Responsible ownership is crucial for Dog Population Management

Dog Population Management is a complex and important issue and everyone should be involved in solving it – individuals, institution, and the civil sector – this is one of the main conclusions of the national conference dedicated to Dog Population Management, held within the project „Reinforced animal health and welfare“. 

With the presence of representatives of the Veterinary Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, veterinary inspectors, national and international experts spoke about the dynamics of dogs that move freely, as well as the role of central and local services in managing the dog population.

“The problem of abandoned dogs, on the one hand, threatens the welfare of dogs, and on the other hand, local governments provide large funds for compensation to citizens who have been bitten by abandoned dogs. The solutions to the problem lie in responsible ownership, marking of all dogs, adoption of abandoned dogs, and above all in raising citizens’ awareness that they should treat their pets responsibly and have control over their reproduction”, said Antonio Di Nardo, Key expert for animal welfare on the project “Reinforcement of animal health and welfare”.

The conference also discussed strategies for dog population management with an action plan and key pillars on which it is based. Common constraints and opportunities in dog population management were also discussed, as well as possible roles outside of institutional stakeholders.

“Dog population management is a multifactorial issue. The issue should be addressed in an ethical, moral and a public health point of view. The problem should be approached from different angles. One of the most important items is responsible ownership. This means identifying your dog, vaccinate your dog for rabies, don’t let the dog outside unleashed without supervision, taking care of the animals for all its life”, said Andrea Carvelli, expert for animal welfare on the project.

The project „Reinforcement Animal health and welfare “supports the Veterinary Directorate of the Ministry of the Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management in harmonizing national legislation with the European Union and international standards in the field of animal health and welfare and biosecurity.