Canine Euthanasia’s Trend Analysis during Thirty Years (1990–2020) in Italy: A Veterinary Hospital as Case Study
Annalisa Previti, Vito Biondi, Michela Pugliese, Angela Alibrandi, Agata Zirilli, Mariana Roccaro, Angelo Peli, Annamaria Passantino

TL;DR
This study analyzed trends in dog euthanasia in an Italian veterinary hospital from 1990 to 2020, showing changes after a law recognized animals as sentient beings.
Contribution
The study provides new insights into how animal welfare legislation influenced euthanasia decisions in veterinary practice over 30 years.
Findings
Euthanasia cases increased significantly over the 30-year period (p = 0.027).
Dogs euthanized after 2005 were older, more often crossbred or stray, and more frequently neutered.
Neoplastic diseases were more common as a cause of euthanasia in the post-law period.
Abstract
This study illustrates the data relating to euthanasia in a canine population during the years 1990–2020 in a small animals’ veterinary hospital. The overall period examined has been split into two terms (T1 = 1990–2004 and T2 = 2005–2020) based on Law 189/2004 coming into force, as this law made changes to the Criminal Code regarding offenses against animals and the related penalties. In comparing the significant differences of the two terms, variables such as age, breed, reproductive status, and ownership were considered. Law 189/2004 has played an important role in Italy by acknowledging animals as sentient beings and, therefore, influencing the decision-making process of euthanasia. This study aimed to investigate changes in the number of, and reasons for, requests for dogs’ euthanasia over the last thirty years. Data (breed, age, gender, neuter status, manner, and cause of death)…
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Taxonomy
TopicsHuman-Animal Interaction Studies · Rabies epidemiology and control · Geographies of human-animal interactions
