The Netherlands holds the title of pride, being the first country in the world to have no wild dogs. Breathe a sigh of relief- it’s not achieved with any death! It is estimated that there are around 200 million feral dogs around the world, which means we can all learn something from the Netherlands. A little human compassion and kindness can go a very long way!
The cultural significance of dogs in the Netherlands
Dogs have been viewed as a social status for centuries in the Netherlands. Rich people keep dogs for pets and for sports while poor people have dogs for work. There were large numbers of dogs in the Netherlands in the 19th century before the rabies outbreak. A widespread rabies epidemic meant dog owners abandoned their dogs on the streets. A dog’s health begins to be seen as a reflection of their owner, and no one wants to be seen as sick or ugly.
The dog tax was created to help ease the burden on the feral dog population. This plan backfired when people were unable or unwilling to pay taxes, leading to even more hardship. As a result, the first animal protection agency was established in 1864. Since then, animal rights have been at the forefront of Dutch social affairs. Animal abuse is not taken lightly. Offenders incur a fine equivalent to $18,539 and up to three years in prison!
So how do they do it?
The government has handled the matter with full force. Many cities have imposed large taxes on store-bought dogs. Naturally, this has led many people to adopt dogs from shelters instead of freeing up space for strays. They also started a program called Collect, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return, CNVR for short. This is a government-funded nationwide program that provides navigation equipment, bacteria and vaccines to strays.
As if that wasn’t enough, the government even created a police force just for animals. Officers from the animal crime response force and assist with animal rescues. There are also Party for animals which focuses on animal rights and welfare.
“…There is a direct link between violence against animals and violence against people,” says Marianne Thieme, leader of the Party For Animals.
Who is considered a stray dog?
Based on Review of the NetherlandsHere is the Dutch definition of wild dogs:
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“The dogs let loose with their owners: They have owners, but the owners let the dog roam part of the day.
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Loose dogs without owners: Dogs abandoned by their owners.
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Community dogs: They do not have an owner but are cared for by a community.
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Wild dog: The dog was left unattended and survived on its own.”
What is also unique is that the Netherlands views stray dogs not only as a danger to human health and safety but also as a moral and ethical issue of society. Surname admit cruelty to dogs and the emotional agony of humans to see dogs starving, injured, or even dead.
The nation’s animal welfare efforts have been successful beyond imagination. About 90% of people in the Netherlands have welcomed a dog into their family. This means about a million dogs now have homes and families filled with junk food and belly rubs!
