Interações entre pessoas e cães em uma região semiárida nordestina: etnozoologia, bem-estar e conservação animal

Abstract

The first relationships between humans and dogs (Canis familiaris) are old, and have become increasingly frequent, in view of the immense importance and diversity of roles of dogs in our society. The present work aimed to investigate the relationship between people and dogs. The field research was carried out from October 2018 to May 2019 in a semi-arid location in Northeast Brazil. A total of 199 households that keep dogs were visited. Of the total number of households visited, 47 belong to hunters who keep dogs for hunting activities. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires. Mixed breed dogs are the most common, especially in rural areas. Low-income informants choose to breed mixed-breed dogs for home protection and hunting, while in the urban area some breeders keep them as pets. With regard to animal welfare, part of the interviewees (n = 76; 38%) said they walked their dog, and part of the informants, said they bathed the animals in their homes, and only the Poodle dogs (5%) , receive care in a pet shop. Most respondents report that their dogs have been vaccinated against rabies in free vaccination campaigns. With regard to hunting with dogs, all respondents (n = 47) stated that the target species are hunted at night, such as Conepatus semistriatus (tacaca), Euphractus sexcinctus (armadillo peba), Dasypus novemcinctus (true armadillo) and Anteater tetradactyla (anteater). Hunters (n = 47) stated that with the help of hunting dogs they capture a greater number of species than other hunting strategies, being able to hunt a large number of the same species or different target species. Thus, we observe that breeders keep their dogs according to their place of residence and income. With regard to hunting with dogs, we hope that our results will assist in the elaboration of management plans for the conservation of wild fauna, taking into account the socioeconomic and cultural context of hunters, since hunting activities are disseminated between generations and are related to entertainment. of people.