StrayDogControlPracticesinRussia-CAROdog.docVIP

STRAY DOGS CONTROL PRACTICE IN RUSSIA N.A. Danilov*, V.A. Rybalko*, L.L. Macevich*, S.B. Stepanov* S.G. Klochko**, A.V. Petrova**, J.G. Shapovalova** *- Realistic Animal Protection Movement, Russia ** - Realistic Animal Protection Movement, Ukraine Common E-Mail: real-ap@yandex.ru Web-site: http://www.real-ap.ru (in Russian) 1. The general overview of the situation in Russia Stray dogs are common in Russia. In general, the number of stray dogs increased seriously about 20 years ago, due to the crisis in politics, economics social sphere. Stray dogs can be found both in cities in the country. The general approach to dog owning in Russia is similar to the western one. The dog is a popular pet animal, besides, some dogs are used for utilitarian purposes. The strict data about owned and unowned dog quantity is not available. Assumed there are no less than 10 million pet dogs in Russia. The overwhelming majority of all dogs are owned dogs. Usually there are local legislation: ownership responsibilities, ?leash laws? basic provisions concerning animal management, husbandry and treatment. Unowned dogs are usually regarded as a problem by the local authorities. Unowned dogs supposedly usually make about not exceed 10-20 per cent of all dogs in a locality. Nevertheless, there are serious problems concerning unowned dogs. The population of stray dogs is heterogeneous. It is possible to single out several types of dogs’ dependence on people: a) Owned free-roaming dogs. These dogs have got owners, but the owners let out to roam the streets without control regularly or from time to time. Such dogs can be found mainly in the country in smaller towns. There are relatively few dogs of this type in large cities with blocks of flats. b) Unowned free-roaming dogs. Among them: -stray dogs that live at the fenced territories inside some buildings of various factories, parking lots, construction areas etc. The dogs are fed by the employees but the employees do not control