Post-war Demographic and Ecological Survey of Dog Populations and Their Human Relationships in Sierra Leone. (A Case Study of Urban Freetown)

Abstract

This research conducted on 900 dog-owning households randomly selected in urban Freetown investigated dog population and ecology, and how they relate with human populations, with regards to rabies. Pre-tested questionnaires designed according to World Health Organization standards were administered from Allen town in the east to Juba hills in the west. Area measurements using prescribed methods were done in the east, central and west of Freetown. Dog population was obtained by counting the number of dogs in the three clusters. Results obtained revealed an estimated total dog population of 13,246 with a ratio of 1:14 dogs to humans respectively., Life expectancy of dogs was 3-4 years, although some lived up to 7 years and above. More males were involved in dog rearing than females. Although 72% of dog owners are skilled income earners, however, 81% do not feed their dogs with canned food; hence 88% don't know the cost of feeding their dogs. Approximately, 44% of households allow their dogs to scavenge garbage dumps and to mix with other dogs. Most dogs (77%) are owned by parents, mainly for security purposes, but 59% do not monitor or register their dogs with veterinary clinics and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. Lack of care and attention accounted for 78% of dog mortality; hence dog owners need to pay closer attention in the management of their dogs to reduce the incidence of dog bites and rabies for a healthy co-existence with them.