Legal challenges and management of canine abandonment and reproduction in Ecuador: a critical review of the current framework
Keywords:
Animal welfare, canine overpopulation, Ecuadorian legislation, responsible ownership, feral dogsAbstract
The uncontrolled growth of the canine population in Ecuador, fueled by abandonment and lack of reproductive control, poses significant challenges to public health, animal welfare, and community safety. Although Ecuador has legal provisions prohibiting abuse and promoting responsible pet ownership, their enforcement remains limited, fragmented, and largely ineffective. The absence of comprehensive public policies, adequate funding, and sustained educational campaigns has contributed to the spread of feral dogs, particularly in underserved urban and rural areas. This situation highlights a legal and institutional gap in the coordination between national authorities, municipalities, and civil society. A regulatory reform is urgently needed to integrate preventive, punitive, and ethical population control measures. Promoting a participatory and intersectoral management approach with a rights-based perspective is essential to ensuring both animal protection and community well-being.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Pablo Miguel Vaca-Acosta, Santiago Fernando Fiallos-Bonilla, Styven Andrés Pila-Chicaiza, Meyvelin de Lourdes Balladares-Ortiz
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