Few studies have focused on population-level impacts to endemic species associated with wildlife-dog interactions. Little information exists on the environmental and economic effects of free-roaming and feral dogs, potentially hampering the efficacy of conservation initiatives.
For example, much attention has focused on free-ranging and feral cats ( Felis catus e.g., Patronek 1998), but free-roaming and feral dogs ( Canis familiaris) receive less notice, despite being a major problem in many places and potential predators of or competitors with a wider variety of native species than cats ( Feldmann 1974). The impacts of some threats have been well studied, but the impacts of others remain less understood. Maintaining or restoring ecosystem health is a major conservation goal, but its achievement is challenged by many significant immediate and long-term threats, including habitat loss, infectious disease, and nonnative species.
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