Dog Ecology and Population Studies in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Dog population dynamics have a major impact upon the effectiveness of rabies control strategies. As such, understanding domestic dog ecology has been recognized as central to the design of effective rabies control programmes. This study was conducted to determine the dog ecology in Lagos State using compound dog count and street dog count in the three senatorial districts (Lagos West, East and Central) of Lagos State from February, 2011 to January, 2012. A total of 546 questionnaires were distributed for the compound dog count and all were completed and returned. Various aspects of dog ecology were determined, including size, sex, breed of the dog population, management of dogs and rabies awareness among the respondents. Out of the 546 compounds surveyed, 518 (94.87%) owned at least one dog. A total of 1,427 dogs were counted from the street counts while a total of 1,447 dogs (2.8 dogs/compound) were counted from the compound count. The dogs comprised of 583 males and 864 females, out of which 64.10% are confined. The dog vaccination coverage in the dog population surveyed was 64.10% and administered majorly (91.30%) by veterinarians. Security (60%) and pets (26%) were the major reasons for keeping dogs. Majority (88.80%) of the respondents were aware of rabies and its mode of transmission, but still believed in the use of concoctions (40.40%), herbs (19.90%) and consumption of the organ of the offending dog (11.50%) for the treatment of rabies. The findings of this study showed a male: female ratio of dog to be 1:1.5 and a dog: human ratio of 1:5.6. There was also a responsible dog ownership as majority of the respondents do confine, vaccinate and provide food for their dogs. Vaccination coverage of the total dog population was however below the 70-80% target recommended by the World Health Organization to achieve herd immunity.

Dog ecology and its implications for rabies control in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

“…A major contributing factor to the high dog population numbers was the increased need for security for which most dogs were used (72.5%). This was reported in Lagos, Nigeria (Hambolu et al., ); however, there may be regional variation within countries as the majority of the dogs were used for breeding and as a source of income (Otolorin, Umoh, and Dzikwi (). Understanding the reasons for dog ownership is important because management and motivations may plausibly vary greater between different groups, particularly dogs kept for security versus those kept as companions.…”

“…The domestic dog is a major reservoir and vector of human rabies in Nigeria, accounting for nearly 99% of human rabies exposures (Adeyemi, Adetunji, James, & Alonge, ; Ameh, Dzikwi, & Umoh, ; Mshelbwala, Ogunkoya, & Maikai, ; Otolorin, Dzikwi, Umoh, Mshelbwala, & Danjuma, ). The risk and rate of canine rabies transmission depend on many factors, including the density of the dog population and their social behaviour (Oboegbulem & Nwakonobi, ; Hambolu et al., ). Urbanization has resulted in an increase in human and dog movement as well as continued interaction between owned and unowned dogs.…”

“…In Africa and Asia, an estimated 24,000–70,000 people die of rabies annually (Hampson et al., ; Knobel et al., ). Despite reports from various parts of Nigeria on rabies, data on dog ecology, including population densities, structure and characteristics, are scarce (Akombo, ; Hambolu et al., ). Gwagwalada Area Council has an estimated population of over 300,000 and the population continues to increase due to the movement of people from different parts of the country to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).…”

Benefits of animal intervention strategies in the control of neglected zoonotic diseases in Nigeria

“…For example, low rabies vaccination coverage were reported in Africa (Jibat et al, 2015) and different parts of Nigeria including Zaria (Dzikwi et al, 2011), Lagos (Hambolu et al, 2014) and Aba (Otolorin et al, 2014), suggesting high risk of rabies transmission in the country. The consumption of "bush meat" which refers to meat from wild animals is another risk factor associated with the transmission of NZDs especially those originating from wild animal reservoirs (Alexander et al, 2012).…”

“…Vaccinating over 70% of animal population against these zoonoses will ensure herd immunity and subsequent protection of the animal population and humans from these NZDs. Free vaccination campaigns which has been neglected, should be encouraged by the government and stakeholders in the veterinary and health sectors to overcome the challenge of low vaccination coverage reported in several parts of the country (Dzikwi et al, 2011;Hambolu et al, 2014;Otolorin et al, 2014). Vaccine failure arising from poor storage, wrong route of administration and incorrect reconstitution among other factors should also be addressed for adequate vaccination result.…”