Human dimensions of rural dog-wildlife interactions in the Cerrado: implications for biodiversity conservation

The domestic dog (Canis familiaris) is considered one of the seven most harmful exotic species to vertebrate biodiversity globally, primarily due to its high population density. In rural areas, mitigating conflicts between dogs and wildlife depends on environmental and socioeconomic factors and, fundamentally, on collaborative efforts between managers and local communities. Beyond ecological studies on species biology and interactions, it is essential to consider how local communities perceive and interact with this issue. We investigated how owners perceive interactions between free-ranging dogs and wildlife, and how free-ranging dog management practices influence the likelihood of owners noticing these interactions. We also investigated the types of animals most frequently chased and preyed upon. Although half of the owners acknowledged that the presence of dogs in protected areas can cause problems, this recognition did not translate into acceptance of management measures. This disconnect between problem recognition and willingness to act was modulated by animal welfare values, which led to an externalization of responsibility to park managers. Most owners tended to interpret chasing and predation events as natural or insignificant. Among the variables tested, only pack size showed a marginal influence on owners' perception of predatory interactions. Reported prey included medium- and small-sized mammals, such as armadillos, anteaters, and jaguarundis, as well as reptiles, such as tegus and small lizards. Our results indicate that, beyond direct predation, dogs pose significant threats to native species in the Brazilian Cerrado due to risk effects associated with chasing events. Management policies should go beyond euthanasia and removal, which are not well accepted by the community, and incorporate approaches that consider the socioeconomic and cultural realities of local communities.