Maintenance of the dog at home; responsible guard; Related factors.

Understanding the relationship between dogs and humans is a matter of social and environmental interest, as this link interferes with both human and animal health. This is due to the possible damage related to the abandonment and inadequate care of dogs, whether by bites, accidents or transmission of diseases to humans, or by a worse quality of life and shorter longevity of the animals. In this way, understanding the factors related to compliance with responsible custody can be useful for a better quality of life for dogs and their tutors. The present study analyzes these factors, as well as those associated with keeping dogs in households in the municipality of Divinópolis, MG. The sample was defined by dividing the municipality into 11 strata, which were subdivided into blocks and districts. Statistical analyzes were performed using descriptive measures and bivariate and multivariate procedures in order to establish responsible custody standards and their associations with explanatory variables. In total, 704 dogs were evaluated in 406 households. Considering only the animals that could be at home, that is, excluding the euthanized and those not found, 513 animals were studied in the study of their maintenance. It was found that 19.1% of the dogs were no longer at home and that 60% of these died. Among the main causes of canine not staying in residences, donation, euthanasia, death from fights with other animals, poisoning, escape and being run over were reported. In the multivariate models, it was identified

that male dogs, with the presence of ticks, with free access to the street, that had not been dewormed or sterilized and that lived in households close to areas with vegetation were significantly less likely to remain at home. The adoption of responsible animal custody principles was shown to be associated with a longer-lasting canine maintenance in households, which reinforces its importance for the reduction of stray dogs and for the control of zoonoses. In the study of factors associated with adherence to responsible custody, there were greater chances of non-adherence: in individuals who tutored only one dog; people who tutored mixed-breed dogs; owners who reported having lost a dog before. On the other hand, there were lower chances of non-adherence to responsible custody practices in: tutors who own cars; tutors who acquired the dogs as puppies; tutors who live in households with up to four residents; people who tutor neutered dogs; and owners who find that taking care of dogs is less difficult (or in) than they expected. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of adopting responsible animal custody as an important means of canine maintenance in their home of origin, and the consequent reduction of stray dogs, in addition to the control of zoonoses.