Research in Human-Animal Interaction
Silva, F. A. N.; Carvalho, R. L.; Klein, R. P.; Quessada, A. M.;
Responsible ownership of dogs in Buenos Aires district (Teresina, PI).
Ars Veterinaria. 2009. 25: 1, 14-17. This work aimed to analyse the relationship of dog owners with their animals to determine responsible ownership in Buenos Aires district, Teresina (PI), Argentina. 77 interviews were conducted. It was noted that in this district, most people never took the dog to the veterinarian (75.3%) and did have the dogs castrated (65.0%). In 67.5% of cases, the dog was adopted because it was a gift from someone. It was reported that only 7.8% of people bought dogs. However, the majority said that the affection was important in the decision to stay with the dog (79.2%), whose purpose was as a companion animal (68.8%). In conclusion, most people in the district have dogs for emotional reasons, but do not practice responsible ownership. Thus, this district as in Teresina needs regular campaigns to disseminate responsible ownership, trying to minimize the abandonment of animals which is a public health problem.