1. Role of the competent authority and local government regarding stray and feral dogs Mitja Šedlbauer, DVM, MSc Veterinary Administration of the Republic of Slovenia

2. Outline Three-layer approach Slovenian example of dealing with stray animals –Legislation –Implementation –Informing the public

3. Levels of responsibility National strategy / legislation Enforcing legislation (implementation) – official control Promoting responsible ownership

4. Legislation Protecting the welfare of dogs –Health status, injuries, hunger, etc. Public health –Rabies, echinococcosis Public safety –Dog herd attacks

5. Important questions Are we dealing mostly with stray dogs or also with feral dogs? –Strays & abandoned: find owner, rehome… –Feral dogs: strategies (?) What is the country’s status regarding zoonoses (rabies)? –Mandatory vaccinations –Catch & release (???)

6. Slovenian example RABIES status: not free of rabies Stray animals: YES (dogs and cats) Feral animals: dogs NO, cats YES

7. Slovenian example Network of shelters 10 shelters (7 privately owned, 2 run by NGOs, 1 run by a municipality) Complying with legislation – subject to aproval by Veterinary Administration 8-day deadline 10-day observation period 30-day deadline Euthanasia allowed Urgent veterinary procedures Compulsory spaying / neutering

8. Slovenian example Mandatory vaccination against rabies Long-standing tradition (since the 1950’s) Annual vaccination

9. Slovenian example Identification and registration of dogs Microchip (replaced “dog tags”) European pet passport Central register of dogs –Records of vaccination –Data on the owner (contact details, personal data) –Data on the dog

10. Implementation State level Veterinary authority Police Other official control bodies (agencies, inspectorates)

11. Implementation on state level Assuring and maintaining the network of contract veterinarians who vaccinate dogs against rabies. The contract veterinarians have access to the central register of dogs. Clear provisions in the contract, defyning the tasks.

12. Implementation on state level Official control of: –owners (vaccination, ownership, maltreatment of animals, leashing in public…) –veterinarians (central register of dogs, registration of dogs…) –municipalities (providing necessary care for the stray animals)

13. Implementation on state level Maintaining up-to-date records of dog population, dog owners and regular vaccinations against rabies Control over regular vaccination Responsibility of owners Dangerous dogs

14. Implementation on local level Local level Shelters Municipal (local) police and inspectorates Local government

15. Implementation on local level Providing animal care –Municipalities are required to either build a shelter or have a contract with an existing shelter. –Care of stray animals funded from municipal budgets

16. Implementation on local level Subject to contract between a municipality and its shelter, a level of transparency needs to be established. Municipalities can and should have control over spending of funds for animal care

17. Implementation on local level Municipalities can pass any local legislation which they enforce locally, provided that it is in line with the national legislation. Ban on feeding stray animals Dog feces removal Barking problems (?) …

18. Is all this enough? Unfortunately not.

19. Promotion of responsible ownership of animals Informing the public means changing their mentality. Very subtle procedure Very few direct and immediate results.

20. Promotion of responsible ownership of animals Whose task is it? -Non government organisations -Official (government-run) services -Industry ? …

21. 2008

22. 2009

23. 2010

25. 2011

26. Conclusion 3-layer aproach –Legislation –Enforcement –Informing the public What are the local specifics? Stray animal care and rabies control go hand in hand

27. Hvala vama na pažnji.