Bad dog? The environmental effects of owned dogs
Philip W. Bateman A, and Lauren N. Gilson

Abstract

Dogs as owned pet animals are globally ubiquitous and numerous. While the impact of cats, both feral and owned, on biodiversity has been relatively well-studied, by contrast, the comparative effect of owned dogs has been poorly acknowledged. As the commonest large carnivore in the world, the environmental impacts of owned dogs are extensive and multifarious: they are implicated in direct killing and disturbance of multiple species, particularly shore birds, but also their mere presence, even when leashed, can disturb birds and mammals, causing them to leave areas where dogs are exercised. Furthermore, scent traces and urine and faeces left by dogs can continue to have this effect even when dogs are not present. Faeces and urine can transfer zoonoses to wildlife and, when accumulated, can pollute waterways and impact plant growth. Owned dogs that enter waterways contribute to toxic pollution through wash-off of chemical ectoparasite treatment applications. Finally, the sheer number of dogs contributes to global carbon emissions and land and fresh water use via the pet food industry. We argue that the environmental impact of owned dogs is far greater, more insidious, and more concerning than is generally recognised.

Fig. 2.

Negative effects of dogs on the environment include (a) predatory behaviour and chasing, resulting in fleeing by wildlife, with effects on mortality, energetics and reproduction, (b) presence in an area, resulting in effects on diversity and abundance of multiple taxa, with possible effects on reproduction, (c) entering water, with wash-off veterinary products affecting diversity and abundance of invertebrate taxa, possible subsequent effects on aquatic vertebrates, and (d) presence of urine and faeces, with increases in nitrogen in water courses, effects on health of vegetation, and spread of zoonoses and parasites.

It might be expected that dog owner behaviour would be easier to remedy; however, as intimated above, there is much ignorance (perhaps understandable) among dog owners regarding the effects of dogs on the environment, together with recalcitrance towards taking responsibility for and mitigating their dogs’ impacts. An extreme example is reported by Fulton (2022), who was threatened with violence when asking people not to drive cars or walk dogs on a protected beach that prohibited these activities.

The problem with owned dogs and their environment will not just go away. There needs to be a dialogue on how we can maintain our important relationship with companion animals and balance that with a meaningful, sustainable stewardship of the environments on which both people and their dogs and resident or migratory wildlife depend.

Philip W. Bateman; Associate Professor, School of Molecular & Life Sciences, Curtin University, W. Australia

Lauren N. Gilson; Behaviour and Ecology Research Group, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, W. Australia

<Pacific Conservation Biology 31, PC24071 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC24071 >

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