PhD topic: Population dynamics and health status of freeroaming dogs in Bhutan
Dr. Karma Rinzin, PhD, MVS, BVSc & AH
University: Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia
In 2009 a capture-neuter-vaccinate-release (CNVR) programme commenced in Bhutan
to control the dog population and to reduce the number of cases of rabies in humans and
other animals. Limited understanding of the community’s attitudes towards dog
population control and population dynamics of the free-roaming dog population in
Bhutan motivated the study reported in this thesis. Household surveys were undertaken
to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the community towards dog
population control and to describe the demographics and management of owned dogs.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the CNVR programme a series of field surveys were
undertaken to estimate the programme’s coverage and the size of the free-roaming dog
population and to assess the health status of dogs.
This study demonstrated that 90% of the Bhutanese community believed that the stray
dogs were a problem to society and 77% believed they presented a threat to human
health. However, stray dogs are tolerated by the society as indicated by the regular
feeding of stray dogs by many people (58%). Most participants (84%) were in favour of
dog population control with birth control being the preferred method. A need to develop
educational programmes on rabies and dog population specifically targeting farmers and
females from rural areas was identified.
More than half (53.3%) of the dogs presented to the CNVR clinic were free-roaming
dogs, with comparable numbers of males and females presented. Although pregnant
bitches were seen throughout the year, more pregnancies were presented from
September to December. The total owned dog population was estimated at 71,245 with
24.4% (95% CI 21.1 – 27.4) of the households in the urban areas and 40.8% (95% CI
36.75 – 44.62) of the households in rural areas owning dogs. Forty percent of dog
owners did not confine their dogs. Based on the number of owned dogs and the ratio of
stray to owned dogs presented to the CNVR clinic, the stray dog population was
estimated at 48,379 (urban = 22,772 and rural = 25,607).
The free-roaming dog population in Thimphu Municipal area was highest in June 2011
at 6033 (95% CI 5644 – 6430), prior to which there had been no CNVR campaign for
15 months. From July 2011 to August 2014 the free-roaming dog population size
remained relatively constant (range 5,765 to 5,949 dogs) as CNVR campaigns were
regularly carried out. A higher density of free-roaming dogs was observed in those
places with a higher density of buildings and road networks. This indicates that dogs are
highly dependent upon human settlement for their food and shelter and that a high
proportion of owned dogs are not being confined.
Neutered dogs had a significantly lower prevalence of antibodies to canine distemper
virus (44.2%) and canine parvovirus CPV (4.0%) than entire dogs (52.9 & 18.4%,
respectively) (P < 0.01); and neutered dogs had significantly higher body condition
scores than entire dogs (P < 0.01).
The studies presented in this thesis have demonstrated that the success of a CNVR
programme will depend on the initial planning of the programme which includes
assessing the size of the local dog population and continuous monitoring and evaluation
of the programme. To effectively control the dog population in Bhutan and to address
problems associated with free-roaming dogs, it is recommended that: regular CNVR
programmes are carried out throughout the country; female dogs, especially during the
breeding season, are specifically targeted; programmes are monitored regularly;
community participation in programmes is encouraged; and legislation on responsible
dog ownership is implemented.
Figure 1 Monthly pattern of female dogs neutered and proportion of pregnant
bitches observed when spayed during the CNVR programme in Bhutan from July
2011 to June 2013
Figure 2 Proportion of dogs in the five body condition categories in notched and
un-notched dogs (n = 1,835).
Figure 3 Estimated number of surviving ear-notched dogs, the total free-roaming
dog population and the percentage of ear-notched dogs out of all total sighted dogs
(June 2009 – September 2014)
(a)
(b)
Figure 4 Map of Thimphu Municipal area (a) Image plot showing the free-roaming
dog population density (number of dogs per km2) with the road networks
superimposed on this plot (b) Image plot showing the intensity of buildings
expressed as number of buildings per km2. Darker colours indicate higher
intensity of dogs and buildings