DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE OWNED DOG-POPULATION IN MIACATLAN, MORELOS MEXICO

Some characteristics of the owned-dog population in Miacatlan, Morelos , Mexico are reported. Information was gathered on 1026 dogs in 575 ho useholds surveyed during 1993. The ratio of persons per dog was 2.63/1 . Eighty five percent of the households had at least one dog. Most of these animals were intact (92.22%), adult (38.2%) mongrels (61.85%) ke pt as guards (65%). Dogs were primarily received as gifts (57.77%). Fo rty five percent of the dog population was allowed to live part or ful l time in the streets. Most of the rabies vaccines given to the dogs c ame from free Government campaigns (94.6%). Dogs were mainly fed lefto vers (89.86%). It was concluded that the dog population in Miacatlan i s a result of the low cost of having a dog, which is determined by the way they are kept.