Spatial Distribution and Population Estimation of Dogs in Thailand: Implications for Rabies Prevention and Control

作者：Weerapong Thanapongtharm, Suwicha Kasemsuwan, Vilaiporn Wongphruksasoong, Khemmapat Boonyo, Tanu Pinyopummintr, Anuwat Wiratsudakul, Marius Gilbert, Kansuda Leelahapongsathon · 发表于：Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 年份：2021 · DOI：10.3389/fvets.2021.790701 · 被引用次数：36 · 研究领域：Rabies epidemiology and control、Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research、Virology and Viral Diseases

Poor management of dog populations causes many problems in different countries, including rabies. To strategically design a dog population management, certain sets of data are required, such as the population size and spatial distribution of dogs. However, these data are rarely available or incomplete. Hence, this study aimed to describe the characteristics of dog populations in Thailand, explore their spatial distribution and relevant factors, and estimate the number of dogs in the whole country. First, four districts were selected as representatives of each region. Each district was partitioned into grids with a 300-m resolution. The selected grids were then surveyed, and the number of dogs and related data were collected. Random forest models with a two-part approach were used to quantify the association between the surveyed dog population and predictor variables. The spatial distribution of dog populations was then predicted. A total of 1,750 grids were surveyed (945 grids with dog presence and 805 grids with dog absence). Among the surveyed dogs, 86.6% (12,027/13,895) were owned. Of these, 51% were classified as independent, followed by confined (25%), semi-independent (21%), and unidentified dogs (3%). Seventy-two percent (1,348/1,868) of the ownerless dogs were feral, and the rest were community dogs. The spatial pattern of the dog populations was highly distributed in big cities such as Bangkok and its suburbs. In owned dogs, it was linked to household demographics, w...