Costa Ricans Think Stray Dogs Are a Health Hazard

Costa Rica News – Over half of Ticos perceive stray dogs to be a risk to public health, according to a UCR survey. 52.3% of people think that dogs generate problems such as bites and transmission of diseases.

The survey interviewed 1,236 people over 18 years of age from all over the country.
Inhabitants believe that diseases can be transmitted by feces, petting the dogs, and even breathing in bacteria they leave in the air.

79.2% of those interviewed said they felt they had been harmed in some way by street dogs, which includes dogs who have a home but walk outside alone for part of the day. This included reasons such as that the dogs break garbage bags outside the houses, create excessive noise and leave excrement on public spaces.

Costa Rica has made efforts in animal welfare issues and in controlling the street dog and cat populations in humane ways. The study showed that Costa Rica are against poisoning the animals and for castrating them.