The growing problem of free-roaming dogs: a unified view of public and animal health

Dogs have different social, anthropological and religious meanings in different cultures. In some societies they are part of the urban landscape, fed and cared for communally, and even considered spiritual protectors and guardians. In other countries they are often viewed as a public health and animal welfare issue, and control and adoption policies are encouraged. These ideas reflect the deep connection between humans and dogs, and how these animals are integrated into religious and cultural beliefs and practices. They also reflect different cultural values ​​of living with animals and society’s responsibilities towards them. Depending on their level of socialization with people, dogs can be classified along a spectrum from fully owned pets to free-roaming and stray dogs. Free-roaming dogs are a growing concern worldwide, playing a significant role in the transmission of infectious and parasitic diseases, as well as affecting public safety, animal welfare and environmental health. As reservoirs for a variety of pathogens, they pose a serious threat to the health of both humans and animals, a problem that is best addressed through a One Health approach. Their interactions with wildlife and livestock further complicate disease transmission dynamics, increasing the risk of zoonotic outbreaks. Socioeconomic factors such as poverty and lack of owner responsibility contribute to the persistence of stray dog ​​populations, exacerbating these public health problems. Despite the critical nature of the problem, public awareness and coordinated diagnosis, treatment and management strategies remain insufficient, requiring urgent action and collaboration across sectors.

The purpose of this Research Topic is to identify studies from different global contexts that will shed light on cultural differences in attitudes towards dog care. It also aims to address the complex and multifaceted issues associated with free-roaming dogs, focusing on their role in zoonotic disease transmission, parasite burden, owner responsibility and their interactions with wildlife and livestock. In addition to these objectives, this collection aims to update current knowledge by offering a contemporary global perspective on the problem and its diverse characteristics in different regions of the world. By emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of this problem. Recent advances in One Health approaches offer a promising framework for addressing these challenges by integrating human, animal and environmental health perspectives. By exploring the relationship between stray dogs, public health and environmental sustainability, this collection seeks to identify innovative strategies to reduce the risks posed by free-roaming dogs.

This Research Topic welcomes contributions that examine the diverse issues associated with free-roaming dogs from a One Health perspective. We are particularly interested in research into the role of free-roaming dogs in the transmission of zoonotic and parasitic diseases, including their impact on human, animal and environmental health. Materials may address diagnosis and effective treatment strategies, as well as preventative measures to control the spread of disease. We encourage authors to present research on innovative management practices, case studies of successful intervention programs, and understanding of the socioeconomic factors that influence the persistence of stray dog ​​populations. Comparative analyzes across different regions of the world are highly encouraged as they provide valuable insight into the global dimensions of the problem. In addition, we invite submissions to reviews that provide updated assessments of the environmental, social and health impacts of free-roaming dogs, as well as the integration of diagnostic and treatment approaches within One Health.

Keywords: free roaming dogs, canine parasites, zoonotic diseases, diagnosis, reservoirs, transmission, poverty, wild animals, owner responsibility, public awareness, One Health, animal welfare

Important Note: All contributions to this research topic must fall within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to redirect an out-of-scope manuscript to a more appropriate section or journal at any stage of review.

Dogs have different social, anthropological and religious meanings in different cultures. In some societies they are part of the urban landscape, fed and cared for communally, and even considered spiritual protectors and guardians. In other countries they are often viewed as a public health and animal welfare issue, and control and adoption policies are encouraged. These ideas reflect the deep connection between humans and dogs, and how these animals are integrated into religious and cultural beliefs and practices. They also reflect different cultural values ​​of living with animals and society’s responsibilities towards them. Depending on their level of socialization with people, dogs can be classified along a spectrum from fully owned pets to free-roaming and stray dogs. Free-roaming dogs are a growing concern worldwide, playing a significant role in the transmission of infectious and parasitic diseases, as well as affecting public safety, animal welfare and environmental health. As reservoirs for a variety of pathogens, they pose a serious threat to the health of both humans and animals, a problem that is best addressed through a One Health approach. Their interactions with wildlife and livestock further complicate disease transmission dynamics, increasing the risk of zoonotic outbreaks. Socioeconomic factors such as poverty and lack of owner responsibility contribute to the persistence of stray dog ​​populations, exacerbating these public health problems. Despite the critical nature of the problem, public awareness and coordinated diagnosis, treatment and management strategies remain insufficient, requiring urgent action and collaboration across sectors.

The purpose of this Research Topic is to identify studies from different global contexts that will shed light on cultural differences in attitudes towards dog care. It also aims to address the complex and multifaceted issues associated with free-roaming dogs, focusing on their role in zoonotic disease transmission, parasite burden, owner responsibility and their interactions with wildlife and livestock. In addition to these objectives, this volume aims to update current knowledge by offering a contemporary global perspective on the problem and its diverse characteristics in different regions of the world. By emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of this problem. Recent advances in One Health approaches offer a promising framework for addressing these challenges by integrating human, animal and environmental health perspectives. By exploring the relationship between stray dogs, public health and environmental sustainability, this collection seeks to identify innovative strategies to reduce the risks posed by free-roaming dogs.

This Research Topic welcomes contributions that examine the diverse issues associated with free-roaming dogs from a One Health perspective. We are particularly interested in research into the role of free-roaming dogs in the transmission of zoonotic and parasitic diseases, including their impact on human, animal and environmental health. Materials may address diagnosis and effective treatment strategies, as well as preventative measures to control the spread of disease. We encourage authors to present research on innovative management practices, case studies of successful intervention programs, and understanding of the socioeconomic factors that influence the persistence of stray dog ​​populations. Comparative analyzes across different regions of the world are greatly encouraged as they provide valuable insight into the global dimensions of the problem. In addition, we invite submissions to reviews that provide updated assessments of the environmental, social and health impacts of free-roaming dogs, as well as the integration of diagnostic and treatment approaches within One Health.

Keywords: free roaming dogs, canine parasites, zoonotic diseases, diagnosis, reservoirs, transmission, poverty, wild animals, owner responsibility, public awareness, One Health, animal welfare

Important Note: All contributions to this research topic must fall within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to redirect an out-of-scope manuscript to a more appropriate section or journal at any stage of review.