Published in the Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology, this review by K. Lezama-García and colleagues explores the complex web of factors behind the stray dog crisis worldwide. The authors argue that this issue represents not merely an overpopulation problem but a profound breakdown in human–canine relationships, rooted in neglect, misinformation, and lack of responsibility.
The review emphasizes that the uncontrolled rise of stray dogs is largely due to inadequate education about responsible ownership, impulsive adoptions, and weak social structures supporting animal care. Once the bond between human and dog deteriorates, abandonment often follows, leading to significant welfare, health, and safety challenges for both animals and communities.
Lezama-García et al. highlight that reactive measures—such as mass adoptions or sheltering—are insufficient on their own. Instead, they advocate for proactive, welfare-based strategies that include large-scale sterilization campaigns, awareness programs, and stronger public education on humane care and training. Veterinarians, the authors stress, are pivotal figures in spreading information and promoting responsible ownership, as they bridge scientific knowledge and public engagement.
Ultimately, the study underscores that preventing the stray dog crisis requires not only policies and programs but also a cultural shift in human attitudes toward dogs. Recognizing the dog as a sentient partner rather than a disposable possession is essential to re-establishing the mutual trust that once defined the human–canine bond.
Source: Lezama-García, K., Domínguez-Oliva, A., Buenhombre, J., Mora-Medina, P., Daza-Cardona, E. A., Olmos-Hernández, A., Ghezzi, M., & Mota, D. (2025). Exploring the Stray Dog Crisis: When the Human–Canine Relationships Breakdown. Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology. Published January 11, 2025.
