Initial study on free-roaming dogs in Serbian hunting grounds

We used the questionnaire method to collect initial data on the presence, characteristics, and attacks on wildlife by free-roaming dogs from 364 employees in professional services for hunting and game man-agement in Serbia. The results showed that more than 80% of participants frequently saw free-roaming dogs in their hunting grounds. Most of the participants saw medium-sized dogs (63%) in groups of more than 5 animals (53%). Forty-three percent of respondents believed that free/roaming dogs belonged to the category of abandoned dogs. Participants noted that the population of free-roaming dogs has increased in the last 5 years in hunting grounds. The smallest share of participants (60%) who noticed an increase in the number of free-roaming dogs was from mountainous hunting grounds ( P < 0.5). More than 50% of participants believed that the number of deadly attacks by free-roaming dogs on wildlife has increased in the last 5 years. Roe deer were the most common victims of dog attacks. Lethal methods of controlling the populations of free-roaming dogs were not accepted by participants. Considering the almost identi-cal traditions of the Balkan peoples regarding the treatment of dogs, we consider this study especially important for the region.(c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.