Free‐ranging dogs and their owners: Evaluating demographics, husbandry practices and local attitudes towards canine management and dog–wildlife conflict

Abstract

AbstractDomestic dogs, numbering over 900 million worldwide, are commonly kept as service animals and companions. However, their interactions with wildlife have become a growing concern for conservation biologists studying human–wildlife conflicts. It has been reported that domestic dogs pose threats to at least 188 wildlife species, a figure that is likely underestimated. In regions like Southeast Asia, the actual impact could be up to five times the current estimates suggest. This study was designed to explore community perspectives on dog–wildlife conflict within protected areas in rural Thailand, focusing on dog husbandry and promoting effective population management strategies. To gather data on dog ownership, management practices and community perspectives on dog–wildlife conflicts, a structured questionnaire survey was conducted amongst households in settlements surrounding protected areas in Northern Thailand. The survey revealed a widespread presence of domestic dogs in rural Thailand, with half of all households owning dogs and over 40% of these dogs having unrestricted movements. Despite this high prevalence, the impacts of dog–wildlife conflicts were not widely recognised by respondents in the study area. Respondents agreed that dog owners were responsible for controlling their own dogs, while local governments were responsible for controlling dog populations. The most popular management options for dog populations were nonlethal methods, including free vaccinations and sterilisation for owned dogs and trap‐neuter‐vaccinate‐return programmes for strays. The lack of awareness among respondents about dog–wildlife conflicts highlights the need for educational activities on the impacts of free‐ranging domestic dogs. Protected area managers must enforce dog‐free policies within these zones to mitigate the potential threats to vulnerable wildlife populations. However, the lack of veterinary practices in the area represents a significant challenge to effective dog population management. Developing strategies to overcome this issue is crucial. Overall, the findings suggest that effective dog population management requires a collaborative approach between dog owners, local governments and conservation managers.