Evidence supporting that human-subsidized free-ranging dogs are the main cause of animal losses in small-scale farms in Chile.

ABSTRACT: We surveyed professionals from the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture working with small-scale farmers to characterize the attacks of free-ranging dogs across Chile. Nationwide, in a single year, free-ranging dogs attacked 25% of the ca. 8500 farms included in the survey, killing or injuring about 10 000 small ruminants. These dogs were ranked as the main cause of animal losses for small-scale farmers, representing a threat to the livelihoods of this vulnerable group. Further, free-ranging dogs attacking small ruminants were considered as human-subsidized, since they would be recruited by irresponsible ownership and abandonment from urban centers. This is the first national assessment reporting that human-subsidized dogs are a main threat to livestock rearing. Policies to control populations

SUBMITTER: Montecino-Latorre D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6374227 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature