Adored for their loyalty, their happy-go-lucky nature and their unwavering companionship, dogs occupy a central place in our homes. However, while humans may regard these creatures with near unanimous affection there's also a darker side to their presence in our world. Their environmental impact, which is often ignored, is considerably greater than imagined. A recent Australian study, published in the journal Pacific Conservation Biology, sounds the alarm and invites us to rethink our relationship with these animals that we love to dote on.
Humans have been living alongside dogs, their original domesticated four-legged companions, for around 16,000 years. It is estimated that at present several hundred million dogs live with humans. They are the most widespread large carnivores on the planet, and their presence is not without impact on wildlife and ecosystems. Bill Bateman, associate professor at Curtin University and co-author of the study, explained in a press release that dogs disturb and directly harm wildlife, especially shorebirds, even when on a leash.
Because, beyond the frantic races in the park after a bird or even a predatory accident, dogs leave behind them an invisible but tenacious footprint. Indeed, their urine, their excrement and the odors they leave in nature disrupt the behavior of many species in the long term. “Studies have found that animals like deer, foxes and bobcats in the US are less active or completely avoid areas where dogs are regularly walked, even in the absence of the dogs," Mr. Bateman points out. This involuntary territorial marking causes a form of silent exclusion, pushing wildlife away from its natural habitats.
A lasting impact on biodiversity
And the pollution caused by dogs is not only of an olfactory nature. Dog waste adds nitrogen and phosphorus to the soil, damaging the native flora. Worse still, the chemical parasite treatments applied to their coats sometimes end up in bathing water. “Wash-off from chemical treatments used to clean and guard dogs from parasites can add toxic compounds to aquatic environments.,” warns Bill Bateman. A simple swim in a lake can thus turn into a poisoning for aquatic invertebrates.
And the problem does not end there. The dog food industry, fueled by a constantly expanding canine population, leads to a massive consumption of natural resources. “The pet food industry, driven by a vast global dog population, has a substantial carbon, land and water footprint,” says Bateman. Yet only 12 to 16% of owners would be willing to pay more for environmentally friendly dog food.
In the face of these alarming findings, a key question arises: how can we preserve biodiversity without giving up our canine companions? For Bill Bateman, it is imperative to adopt a nuanced approach that takes into account both the deep bond that unites humans with these four-legged furballs and the real ecological impacts they generate. “Dogs are incredibly important to people’s lives and their roles range from providing companionship to contributing to conservation efforts as detection dogs,” he reminds us. Like cats, whose role as apex predators is now well documented in several regions of the world, dogs must now be fully integrated into discussions on the impact of domestic animals on the environment.
Should dogs be banned from certain sensitive areas? A necessary measure, but insufficient, according to the authors of the study. “We are calling for a collaborative effort between dog owners, conservation groups and policymakers to develop strategies that balance pet ownership with environmental care,” adds Mr. Bateman. Because behind every wet nose and every wagging tail, there is a major issue at stake: that of the harmonious cohabitation between humans, their favorite four-legged companions and the rest of the living world
Reference Provided by ETX
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Dogs are the most common large carnivores on the planet. Photography urbazon / Getty Images© 
