There are approximately 375 million stray dogs worldwide. They transmit diseases (e.g., rabies: 55,000 deaths per year) and cause nuisance. Therefore, about 20 million are killed each year in a gruesome manner in an attempt to reduce the number of dogs. However, this is not an effective method to combat the surplus as the dead dogs are immediately replaced by new dogs.

There are proven methods to reduce the number of stray dogs. The most important are sterilization and castration (and vaccination against rabies). Additionally, registration is of great importance, the development of legislation against cruelty to animals, education, and waste removal.

Unfortunately, many poor countries lack the money and knowledge to implement the above methods, which is why the killing of dogs continues.