ICAWC 2014 - Hurray for the stray! - Iaira Boissevain

The devil’s advocate part 1The devil’s advocate part 1Hurray for the Stray!Hurray for the Stray!

Iaira Boissevain, BSC, LLMAttorney at [email protected]

Dogs and cats: PETS? Dogs and cats: PETS?

OR

Western/-European countriesWestern/-European countries

• Animal welfare organizationsAnimal welfare organizations

• SheltersShelters

• Health careHealth care

= Hardly strays (dogs) anymore= Hardly strays (dogs) anymore

NetherlandsNetherlands

• Law: mayor is responsible for stray animalsLaw: mayor is responsible for stray animals

• Only dogs and catsOnly dogs and cats

• Other laws forbid: cruelty, abandonment (new!) Other laws forbid: cruelty, abandonment (new!) lack of care for your own (enforced) or any animal lack of care for your own (enforced) or any animal in need (not enforced)in need (not enforced)

Care of the mayor: Care of the mayor:

• Civil law: assumes ownershipCivil law: assumes ownership

= dogs and cats= dogs and cats

• Only when care < cost (not enforced), and no Only when care < cost (not enforced), and no dangerdanger

• Amount of money available: variesAmount of money available: varies

So, everything is perfect? So, everything is perfect?

• No straysNo strays

• No mongrelsNo mongrels

• No unique one-of-a-kind dogsNo unique one-of-a-kind dogs

• No natural selection, only artificalNo natural selection, only artifical

• Much less genetic variation in behavior and Much less genetic variation in behavior and appearanceappearance

• Genetic troubles with pedigree dogsGenetic troubles with pedigree dogs

ScienceScience

• Domestication (f.e. Urfer, USA)Domestication (f.e. Urfer, USA)

• Genetics (f.e. Axelsson, FI)Genetics (f.e. Axelsson, FI)

• Social relations (f.e. Dr Natoli, IT)Social relations (f.e. Dr Natoli, IT)

• Character/health (f.e. McGreevy, AU)Character/health (f.e. McGreevy, AU)

Availability of non-pedigree and/or free-Availability of non-pedigree and/or free- ranging dogs about ranging dogs about different genes, social different genes, social behavior, history domestication behavior, history domestication

NetherlandsNetherlands

• Increasing group of people, i.e. > Increasing group of people, i.e. > 7000/year who like a non-pedigree, 7000/year who like a non-pedigree, unique, healthy mongrel. unique, healthy mongrel.

• Source: foreign strays/shelter Source: foreign strays/shelter

Eradicating strays?Eradicating strays?

Care for free-ranging animals has benefitsCare for free-ranging animals has benefits

HealthHealth

SocialSocial

EconomicEconomic

EmpathyEmpathy

Or eradicateOr eradicate

• CrueltyCruelty

• Abuse/neglectAbuse/neglect

• DiseaseDisease

There is no country where humans do better because There is no country where humans do better because of their accepted cruelty of their accepted cruelty to (stray) animals. to (stray) animals.

Strays: Strays:

Of course, please, let’s minimize mangy, Of course, please, let’s minimize mangy, sick, emaciated animalssick, emaciated animals

BUTBUT

Total eradication of the stray, the free-Total eradication of the stray, the free-ranging animal might be an irreversible loss ranging animal might be an irreversible loss for the domestic dog and cat who helped for the domestic dog and cat who helped and still helps us to become human. and still helps us to become human.

StraysStrays

- Of course: vaccinate, neuter, take care of Of course: vaccinate, neuter, take care of health issueshealth issues

- And: remember the reservoir of gold And: remember the reservoir of gold genetic material for appreciated pets. genetic material for appreciated pets.

Let’s hope someday not only we appreciate it, but also Let’s hope someday not only we appreciate it, but also the local communities where these strays live. the local communities where these strays live.

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!

(yes, also two former strays )