Citation

Rock MJ, Rault D, Degeling C. Soc. Sci. Med. 2017; 187: 126-133.

Affiliation

Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.06.036

PMID

28683380

Abstract

Dog-bites and rabies are neglected problems worldwide, notwithstanding recent efforts to raise awareness and to consolidate preventive action. As problems, dog-bites and rabies are entangled with one another, and both align with the concept of One Health. This concept emphasizes interdependence between humans and non-human species in complex socio-ecological systems. Despite intuitive appeal, One Health applications and critiques remain under-developed with respect to social science and social justice. In this article, we report on an ethnographic case-study of policies on dog bites and rabies, with a focus on Calgary, Alberta, Canada, which is widely recognized as a leader in animal-control policies. The fieldwork took place between 2013 and 2016. Our analysis suggests that current policies on rabies prevention may come at the expense of a 'bigger picture' for One Health. In that 'bigger picture,' support is needed to enhance coordination between animal-control and public-health policies. Such coordination has direct relevance for the well-being of children, not least Indigenous children.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Canada; Criminology; Dogs; Health promotion; Injuries; Medical anthropology; Rabies; Veterinary medicine