Perception of the Citizenship About Stray Dogs and the Impact on Their Communities

• Main Author: Torres Lopez, Lorna D
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: Spanish
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2008
• Subjects: Social psychology
• ISBN: 9780549649625; 054964962X

According to the Academy of Veterinary Medicine, there are approximately 300,000 stray dogs and cats in Puerto Rico. The presence of stray dogs is related with people that abandon or don't neuter them, among other reasons. During the last decade there has been an increase of cases in which people have been attacked and cases of abuse towards animals particularly stray dogs. Although there are laws and shelters that watch over the welfare of animals, the presence of stray dogs continues. The lack of studies on this subject is the reason why I decided to investigate and explore the opinions and attitudes of the citizenship about stray dogs and the impact they have in their communities. I also explore the recommendations participants offer to deal with this situation. A sample of 200 adults voluntarily completed a self-administered questionnaire. 122 were women and 78 were men with a mean age of 43 years. I recruited participants in public and private settings such as geographic communities, government agencies, churches and schools. I analyzed the results through descriptive statistics and correlations. A large part of the sample defines stray dogs as street dogs. When people come in contact with these dogs, they scared them away, ignore them or feed them. Participants said that Puerto Rico has a stray dog problem, that the Island have an excessive amount of these dogs on the streets and also that these type of dog represents a hazard to the health and safety of humans. The people also mentioned that stray dogs have a negative impact on the tourism industry. People have mixed feelings about this type of dog; they consider them a nuisance in their communities, but on the other hand they worry and feel sorry for them. The welfare of stray dogs was of concern to most respondents. Some people find stray dogs lovable while others see them as dangerous. Most respondents were unaware with neither the laws nor the organizations that look out for the well being of animals. When asked of possible ways to reduce the number of stray dogs, the sample recommended that the government should implement programs of animal control that pick up stray dogs of the streets and grant funds to the shelters. Respondents also suggested the identification of pets and education as alternatives to reduce the roaming dog population on the Island.