engleski

Public perception of stray dog population in six towns of Montenegro

Before developing stray dog population management interventions it is essential that the dynamics of the population are understood and measured objectively. Since the Authority for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs (AFSVPA) planned to develop a National strategy for stray dog control that will define measures for stray dog population management for implementation at the local level by local authorities it was important to perform the initial survey to determine the main sources of stray dogs. In May 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced a public call for NGOs with the main aim of collecting data on the number of stray dogs in six selected municipalities in Montenegro, in central region: capital Podgorica, Cetinje and Nikšić ; Kolašin in the north region and Kotor and Tivat in the south. Five NGOs have been awarded to conduct surveys: Ruka Šapi, Feniks, Nikšićko udruženje za zaštitu životinja, K9 Montenegro Svjetska zaštita životinja and Prijatelji pasa. Beside the survey looking at dog density and composition, the assessment also included a demographic survey with specific emphasis on ownership trends, owner attitudes and behavior, as well as interaction with stray dogs. The purpose of the survey was to gather baseline data that will be used for designing, planning and monitoring of local dog control interventions. This information will be utilized to set-up clear intervention objectives and indicators to monitoring and evaluate intervention progress. This part of the survey would also need to measure changes in human behaviour relating to dogs. The survey needs to be performed at regular intervals to monitor interventions and whether the measures are achieving desired results.

stray dog, population, management, Montenegro, public

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