Northern Institute People. Policy. Place. Seminar Feb 2018 Dr Bonny Cumming Project Officer - AMRRIC - Them Cheeky Dogs Challenges & Opportunities ...
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Them Cheeky Dogs
Challenges & Opportunities in
Remote Community Animal
Management
Northern Institute
People. Policy. Place. Seminar Feb 2018
Dr Bonny Cumming
Project Officer – AMRRIC
Overview Value of companion animals Impacts of unmanaged populations Ingredients of effective companion animal management AMRRICs work Opportunities
Overview
Across the nation:
• About AMRRIC
• 62% of households own
• Companion animal health and management
pets challenges
in remote communities
• Two in five households
have
• AMRRIC’s approach to improving dogs health
community
• Oliver Ankin’s story • Three in ten households
have cats
Data: Animal Medicines Australia, 2016, ‘Pet
Ownership in Australia’
Companionship
Incorporation into kinship system
Hunting
A source of warmth
Protection - physical and spiritual
Dogs’ Importance in Aboriginal Culture Incorporation into creation & ‘dreaming’ knowledge Artwork: ‘Papa Tjulurrpa (Dog Dreaming), Doris Bush Nungarrayi
Overpopulation • “I just don’t want any more puppies. It’s not my choice she keeps having puppies. The boy dogs keep getting to her. I don’t want any more puppies. Too many.” • Elderly Yolngu lady, Maningrida 2016
Parasites
Welfare After:
Zoonoses
Litter
Nuisance
Threat
Cycle of Intolerance
Adapted from 2016 International Conference on
Human Behaviour Change for Animal Welfare
presentation by Dr Kate Atema, International
Fund for Animal Welfare
Problems
caused by
companion
animals
Lack of
Intolerance
effective
for
companion
companion
animal
animals
management
Ambivalence
or cruelty to
companion
animalsCycle of Intolerance • Annoyance &
frustration
Adapted from 2016 International Conference on • Sadness & shame
Human Behaviour Change for Animal Welfare
• Fear – attack &/or
presentation by Dr Kate Atema, International
Fund for Animal Welfare
health risk
Problems
caused by
companion
animals
Lack of
Intolerance
effective
for
companion
companion
animal
animals
management
Ambivalence
or cruelty to
companion • Discord amongst
animals community members
• Inhumane
• Trauma & anger management
• Inhibited empathy practices
developmentKey ingredients for effective companion animal
management
1. Geographic and economic 1. Access to
access to veterinary services, animal health
prophylactic treatments and care &
services
animal care products
2. LGAs
2. Local Government Authorities resourced to
(LGAs) that have the resources implement
AMPs
and knowledge to implement
appropriate Animal
Management Programs (AMPs)
3. Supportive
societal
3. Societal culture that generally culture
adheres to local by-laws and
encourages the concept of
responsible animal ownership1. Access to
animal health
care &
services2. LGAs
resourced to
implement
AMPs3. Supportive
societal
cultureBenefits of effective animal management • Improved animal health and welfare • Improved human health and wellbeing • Improved community amenity and safety • Reduced negative impacts on wildlife and ecosystems • Reduced biosecurity risks • Enhanced empathy development
Keys to AMRRIC’s approach
1. Understanding and respecting peoples’ connection to their animals
2. Working with all stakeholders to develop culturally appropriate
tailored programs that meet the needs of the community as a whole
3. Building trust and implementing changes slowly, allowing people to
personally recognise the benefits of participationAMRRIC aims to be a resource: • For Local Government Authorities and animal management staff • For veterinary service providers • For stakeholders impacted by, or with an interest in remote community animal management • For communities
AMRRIC’s areas of work Assisting Local Government Authorities: • to develop and implement animal management programs • by advocating for increased resources • to connect with veterinary service providers • to promote responsible pet ownership
AMRRIC’s areas of work Assisting veterinary service providers: • with guidelines, resources and advice • by linking with local community contacts • by facilitating mentor/mentee relationships • by supplying vet and vet nurse volunteers
AMRRIC’s areas of work Assisting stakeholders impacted by, or with an interest in remote community animal management: • by providing advice • by catalysing relationships • by promoting evidence-informed decision making • to promote a culture of responsible animal ownership
Assisting communities
Opportunities • Further evidence in support of One Health links • Resources and training to build local animal management capacity • Legislative requirements, and concurrent resource allocation to support the delivery of effective animal management • Knowledge transfer aimed at increasing empathy and responsible animal ownership • Improved collaboration between stakeholders at all levels
“Being an AMW is important
for dogs so they don’t get
scabies... which they then
don’t share with people. So
it’s important for people
too.”“Aboriginal people have always looked after their dogs, but they’re seeing there’s more control of numbers if less puppies are being born. There’s more food to go around as well and less problems with aggressive dogs. Kids are learning and washing their hands.”
“I like being an AMW because it’s a job where you can see results. For example, you go back [to a community] a month or so after you’ve visited and you can tell which dogs have been treated. They do look fit and healthy... ultimately the job is making that difference in closing the gap and improving the health of dogs and people.”
Further reading
• Ascione, FR & Weber, CV. Children's attitudes about the humane treatment of animals and empathy: One-year
follow up of a school-based intervention. Anthrozoös, 1996, 9:4 188-195.
https://doi.org/10.2752/089279396787001455
• Attema, K, The Cycle of Intolerance and its Impact on Basic Dog Care Provision Behaviors, 1st International
Conference on Human Behaviour Change for Animal Welfare, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Otxnoz3NExg
• Constable, SE, Brown, G, Dixon, RM, & Dixon, R. Healing the Hand that Feeds you: Exploring Solutions for Dog and
Community Health and Welfare in Australian Indigenous Cultures. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social
Sciences, 2008, 3 (8), 219-229.
• Constable, SE, Dixon, R & Dixon, R, For the Love of Dog: The Human–Dog Bond in Rural and Remote Australian
Indigenous Communities, Anthrozoös,2010, 23:4, 337-349 http://dx.doi.org/10.2752/175303710X12750451259336
• Donohoe, P, Garrawurri, YB, & Trudgen, R. The place of dogs in Traditional Culture Philip Donohoe, Big Lick 2000
Conference Proceedings, 2000 http://www.amrric.org/resources/view/159
• Senior K, Chenhall R, McRae-Williams E, D, and Rogers K. Dogs and people in Aboriginal communities: Exploring
the relationship within the context of the social determinants of health. Environmental Health 2006, 6, no. 4: 39.
• Smout F, Schrieber L, Speare R, Skerratt LF. More bark than bite: Comparative studies are needed to determine the
importance of canine zoonoses in Aboriginal communities. A critical review of published research. Zoonoses Public
Health. 2017;00:1–10.Questions?
www.amrric.org | bonny.cumming@amrric.orgYou can also read
