New insights into reducing the negative impacts of free-roaming dogs in Australia point to a One Health* solution according to a scientific paper which explored the complex human, animal and environmental dimensions of wild dog management.
Lead author of the recently published Frontiers in Veterinary Science paper, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development senior principal research scientist and National Wild Dog Action Plan (NWDAP) Coordination Committee member, Dr Peter Fleming, worked with fellow member, Dr Ben Allen, to deliver Diverse human dimensions affect the management of public and animal health impacts of free-roaming dogs in Australia: a One Health solution.
Dr Fleming said the review unifies and makes sense of the challenges and opportunities in managing free-roaming dogs across Australia's diverse landscapes and jurisdictions.
"The research examined the social, legislative and policy factors that influence management, and identified key knowledge, social and structural gaps that limit adoption of effectively integrated approaches," Dr Fleming said.
"We aimed to cut through the conflict and confusion about what defines a wild dog by looking at the types of free-roaming dogs based on where they are and what they are doing, rather than their breed, which helped clarify management actions and communication about their management.
"The review identifies and quantifies the impacts of free-roaming dogs on human health and wellbeing, domestic pets, livestock and wildlife.
"Negative impacts include transmission of diseases, such as hydatids, neosporosis and scabies, livestock predation and financial and psychosocial stress for affected communities.
"The management responses are often complicated by differing public perceptions of the ecological and cultural significance of dingoes and varying attitudes to free-roaming dogs.
"Given these ongoing complexities, One Health-based management aligned with the NWDAP seven-step strategic management plan, offers the best approach.
"This approach integrates our knowledge of animal health, human wellbeing and ecosystems to offer a pathway towards coordinated and socially supported management."
National Wild Dog Management Coordinator, Greg Mifsud, said the paper reinforced the National Wild Dog Action Plan approach to managing free-roaming and wild dogs.
"The plan recognises that wild dogs and dingoes affect animal health, communities, livestock production and Australia's unique biodiversity, while also holding important cultural significance, and all of these factors must be considered when determining best-practice management," Mr Mifsud said.
"This is why at the core of the plan is the principle that the management of wild dogs and dingoes is not about eradication, but about control. We want to ensure we can achieve a balance between the different impacts and roles that wild dogs and dingoes play in society."
"This paper makes it clear that long-term commitment and collaboration across disciplines are critical to building the collective capacity needed to address the complex challenge of free-roaming dogs."
