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Two dogs are casually trotting down the sidewalk without leashes.

Stray Dogs in the United States

What are the key drivers of high rates of stray dogs? What do the places where there are large populations of stray dogs have in common? What societal factors can be clues to the potential rise of stray dogs?

The main issue with dogs is primarily related to bites from negligent owners of loose dogs rather than stray dogs that have been abandoned or are feral. The problem in the United States appears to be compounded by factors such as abandoned houses, low income, neglect, a lack of dog ownership education and enforcement of dog containment laws.

The intention of this blog is to highlight that the struggle of managing dog populations can happen in any part of the world. This blog post intends to recognize the factors that play a role, the efforts people are taking to address the issue, and the societal impacts that dogs on the streets have in all parts of the world.

Note: Some of the articles cited below are from mid 2010’s, so the current state of dogs in these cities may be different.

Detroit, Michigan

A stray dog is peering over the edge of a second story porch of what appears to be an abandoned house.

Stray dog in an abandoned house in Detroit (Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press) 

Detroit’s main dog related issue with dogs is primarily related to bites from negligent owners. The problem is compounded by factors such as abandoned houses, low income, neglect, and a lack of education that likely contributes to stray dog populations. Detroit Dog Rescue and other organizations are working to address these challenges. The bite data shows that lower-income neighborhoods with more vacant properties have higher incidences of dog bites. Detroit Animal Care and Control have taken over 10,113 strays off the streets since 2016. Educating dog owners and removing dangerous animals from the streets are top priorities. Efforts to target specific ZIP codes with high stray populations and provide free or low-cost services have been effective in reducing the number of strays. However, more collaborative action is needed to eliminate stray animals, increase enforcement, and strengthen laws against dog fighting. These issues are not unique to Detroit but are part of a broader national problem.

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Dallas, Texas 

Two dogs are casually trotting down the sidewalk without leashes.

Image caption: Dogs roaming in Dallas, Texas (Los Angeles Times)

News coverage from 2016-2018: The high prevalence of dumping dogs, especially those that are not spayed or neutered, is causing a significant dog overpopulation problem. This issue is particularly pronounced in impoverished areas south of Interstate 30, where people have limited access to affordable veterinary care. A Boston Consulting Group study in 2016 found that around 8,700 loose dogs roamed South Dallas on any given day, many of which are owned but allowed to run freely. Recently, some of these dogs attacked a woman after escaping an unsecured fence. Texas may have a higher concentration of loose dogs compared to other regions, possibly due to milder weather conditions. The goal is to change the culture by implementing stricter laws and education efforts to address this problem. As a result, people are resorting to carrying items like golf clubs, sticks, or mace to protect themselves from these roaming animals.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

A screenshot of a newscast from 2016 that shows a map with several blocks highlighted and an overlaid image of a stray dog roaming the streets.

In some Tulsa neighborhoods, stray and loose dogs have become a significant problem. A “heat map” created by TAW in 2016 displays areas with higher numbers of animal intakes, indicating where the issue is more prevalent. The map aims to highlight the severity of the problem to city leaders. A man in Tulsa, whose dog was attacked by a loose dog in 2023, is advocating for increased accountability for animal owners. There is a call for stricter regulations and enforcement, especially in areas with higher instances of stray and dangerous dogs.

Kansas City, Kansas

The streets of Kansas City, Kan., are plagued by packs of stray dogs, causing problems for residents, city workers, and nonprofit groups. The issue of stray dogs has escalated to the point of being out of control. Children are intimidated by loose and feral dogs during their daily commute to school or at bus stops. Examples of this problem include dogs roaming the streets, entering yards, and even blocking interstate entrance ramps. However, the lack of resources has hindered animal control’s ability to effectively address the situation. While outreach and education efforts have been made, residents are still urged to take responsibility for their pets.

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