scholarly journals Characteristics and Adoption Success of Shelter Dogs Assessed as Resource Guarders

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 982 ◽  
Author(s):  
McGuire
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Domestic Dogs ◽  
Comprehensive Description ◽  
Animal Shelters ◽  
Dog Bites ◽  
Shelter Dogs ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Shelter Dog

Some domestic dogs aggressively guard resources. Canine resource guarding impacts public health through dog bites and affects dog welfare through adoption and euthanasia policies at animal shelters. However, little is known about the demographic characteristics and adoption success of dogs assessed as resource guarders during shelter behavioral evaluations. I reviewed nearly five years of records from a New York (NY) SPCA and categorized 1016 dogs by sex; age; size; reproductive status; and resource guarding. I then examined how these characteristics influenced the returns of dogs by adopters. The prevalence of resource guarding in this shelter dog population was 15%. Resource guarding was more common in adult and senior dogs than in juvenile dogs; and it was more common in small and large dogs than medium-sized dogs. Spayed females were more likely than intact females to guard food; neutered males and intact males did not differ in their likelihood of food guarding. Most dogs identified as resource guarders showed mild to moderate guarding. Severe guarders were more likely to be returned by adopters; although almost all were eventually re-adopted and not returned to the shelter. Data presented here provide the most comprehensive description of resource guarders in a shelter dog population and show the successful re-homing of most.

Difficulties in Making the Ethically Correct Choice in the Management of a Case of Proven Dangerousness of a Shelter Dog

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-84
Author(s):  
R. Benedetti ◽  
A. Malfatti ◽  
A. Marchegiani
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Clinical Case ◽  
Correct Choice ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Economic Resources ◽  
Considerable Importance ◽  
Shelter Dogs ◽  
Shelter Dog

Abstract The management of shelter dogs whose dangerousness to people has been verified is an aspect of considerable importance as it assesses animal welfare, public health, and the management of human and economic resources. In this paper, we briefly discuss the case of a large sized male dog that had bitten people several times and was declared to be at high risk of causing danger. Despite a behavioral rehabilitation program, the initial evidence of dangerousness remained unchanged, thus, there was no possibility of putting the dog up for adoption. This clinical case is an example of how conflicting it is for a behaviorist to choose ethically when considering euthanasia and animal welfare.

scholarly journals Results of Behavioral Evaluations Predict Length of Stay for Shelter Dogs

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3272
Author(s):  
Betty McGuire ◽  
Jordan Chan ◽  
Kennedy Jean-Baptiste ◽  
Philippa Kok ◽  
Emma Rosenbaum
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Animal Shelters ◽  
Lengths Of Stay ◽  
Dangerous Behavior ◽  
Shelter Dogs ◽  
Dangerous Behaviors

Most animal shelters conduct behavioral evaluations before making dogs available for adoption. However, little information exists on whether behaviors displayed during these assessments predict a dog’s length of stay at the shelter. We reviewed nearly 5 years of records from 975 dogs released for adoption at a New York shelter to see whether behaviors shown during their evaluation predicted length of stay. For most tests and subtests, the prevalence of concerning and especially dangerous behaviors was low. Nevertheless, dogs’ scores on some tests or subtests—food guarding and meeting another dog—predicted length of stay at the shelter. Dogs evaluated as showing dangerous behavior had longer lengths of stay than dogs evaluated as showing either concerning behavior or no concerning behavior; the latter two groups did not differ from one another in length of stay. The most likely explanation for the relationships found between behavior during the evaluation and length of stay at the shelter is that dogs with challenging behaviors had smaller pools of potential adopters. Understanding the relationships between performance on behavioral evaluations and length of stay may inform shelter management of canine populations and also help identify dogs requiring special adoption efforts to avoid long shelter stays.

scholarly journals Leveraging Local Expertise in Stewardship, Hospital Epidemiology and Public Health to Enrich Postgraduate Training in NYC

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s311-s312
Author(s):  
Kelsie Cowman ◽  
Belinda Ostrowsky ◽  
Susan Seo ◽  
Victor Chen ◽  
Rachel Bartash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Postgraduate Training ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Hospital Epidemiology ◽  
Full Day ◽  
Epidemiology And Public Health

Background: New York City is a gateway for emerging pathogens and global threats. In 2013, faculty from Montefiore Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering developed a free half-day workshop for postgraduate trainees in antimicrobial stewardship (AS), infection prevention (IP), hospital epidemiology, and public health. This annual workshop, sponsored by the Infectious Diseases Society of New York (IDSNY), incorporates case studies and expert panel discussions on timely topics such as Ebola, Candida auris, Clostridiodes difficile, measles, nosocomial influenza, drug shortages, and AS/IP “big data.” Methods: From 2013 through 2017, the workshop involved 10–15 interactive AS/IP cases with audience response questions and panel discussions. In 2018–2019, based on feedback, the format was revised to emphasize breakout sessions in which participants actively practiced AS/IP tools, (eg, medication utilization evaluations, epidemiologic curves, and performance improvement devices). Examples of 2018–2019 cases are shown in Figure 1. A pre- and postseminar paper survey was conducted yearly to understand baseline training in AS/IP, desire for future AS/IP careers, and self-reported effectiveness of the workshop. Results: Initially, the primary audience was NYC ID fellows. From 2018 onward, we opened enrollment to pharmacy residents. Approximately 45 NYC ID fellows were eligible for the course each year. Results from 2013 to 2016 surveys were reported previously (Fig. 2). There were 32 attendees in 2018, 42 in 2019. The survey response rate was 88% in 2018 and 95% in 2019, with 68 (92%) total participants. Most participants had received previous training in IP (82%) and AS (94%) (Fig. 3). Most participants reported that the program was a good supplement to their ID training (98%) and that case studies were an effective means of learning IP (100%) and AS (98%). Furthermore, 92% stated they would like additional AS/IP training, and many since 2013 have requested a full-day course. Self-reported interest in future involvement in AS/IP increased after the workshop: IP, 68%–83% (P =.04) and AS, 88%–91% (P = .61). Conclusions: Most trainees reported satisfaction with the workshop and case-study learning method; interest in future AS/IP careers increased after the seminar. We intend to explore Funding: to expand to a full-day program for all NYC postgraduate trainees and AS/IP junior faculty. As such, we hope to obtain the endorsement of professional societies such as SHEA. This workshop could address a crucial educational gap in AS/IP postgraduate training and help sustain our future workforce.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Face Masks in Reducing the Spread of COVID-19: A Model-Based Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 0272989X2110190
Author(s):  
Isabelle J. Rao ◽  
Jacqueline J. Vallon ◽  
Margaret L. Brandeau
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Infected Individual ◽  
Disease Model ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Reproductive Number ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Mask Effectiveness

Background The World Health Organization and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that both infected and susceptible people wear face masks to protect against COVID-19. Methods We develop a dynamic disease model to assess the effectiveness of face masks in reducing the spread of COVID-19, during an initial outbreak and a later resurgence, as a function of mask effectiveness, coverage, intervention timing, and time horizon. We instantiate the model for the COVID-19 outbreak in New York, with sensitivity analyses on key natural history parameters. Results During the initial epidemic outbreak, with no social distancing, only 100% coverage of masks with high effectiveness can reduce the effective reproductive number [Formula: see text] below 1. During a resurgence, with lowered transmission rates due to social distancing measures, masks with medium effectiveness at 80% coverage can reduce [Formula: see text] below 1 but cannot do so if individuals relax social distancing efforts. Full mask coverage could significantly improve outcomes during a resurgence: with social distancing, masks with at least medium effectiveness could reduce [Formula: see text] below 1 and avert almost all infections, even with intervention fatigue. For coverage levels below 100%, prioritizing masks that reduce the risk of an infected individual from spreading the infection rather than the risk of a susceptible individual from getting infected yields the greatest benefit. Limitations Data regarding COVID-19 transmission are uncertain, and empirical evidence on mask effectiveness is limited. Our analyses assume homogeneous mixing, providing an upper bound on mask effectiveness. Conclusions Even moderately effective face masks can play a role in reducing the spread of COVID-19, particularly with full coverage, but should be combined with social distancing measures to reduce [Formula: see text] below 1. [Box: see text]

Expanding the concept of the professional integrity of obstetrics during a public health emergency

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 435-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank A. Chervenak ◽  
Amos Grünebaum ◽  
Eran Bornstein ◽  
Shane Wasden ◽  
Adi Katz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Clinical Judgment ◽  
Ethical Judgment ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Ethical Challenge ◽  
Professional Integrity ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Obstetric Services

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed great demands on many hospitals to maximize their capacity to care for affected patients. The requirement to reassign space has created challenges for obstetric services. We describe the nature of that challenge for an obstetric service in New York City. This experience raised an ethical challenge: whether it would be consistent with professional integrity to respond to a public health emergency with a plan for obstetric services that would create an increased risk of rare maternal mortality. We answered this question using the conceptual tools of professional ethics in obstetrics, especially the professional virtue of integrity. A public health emergency requires frameshifting from an individual-patient perspective to a population-based perspective. We show that an individual-patient-based, beneficence-based deliberative clinical judgment is not an adequate basis for organizational policy in response to a public health emergency. Instead, physicians, especially those in leadership positions, must frameshift to population-based clinical ethical judgment that focuses on reduction of mortality as much as possible in the entire population of patients served by a healthcare organization.

scholarly journals Media Reports as a Tool for Timely Monitoring of COVID-19–Related Deaths Among First Responders—United States, April 2020

2021 ◽  
pp. 003335492199917
Author(s):  
Kaitlin Kelly-Reif ◽  
Jessica L. Rinsky ◽  
Sophia K. Chiu ◽  
Sherry Burrer ◽  
Marie A. de Perio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
First Responders ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Exposure Source ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
In Fire ◽  
Traditional Surveillance

We aimed to describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) deaths among first responders early in the COVID-19 pandemic. We used media reports to gather timely information about COVID-19–related deaths among first responders during March 30–April 30, 2020, and evaluated the sensitivity of media scanning compared with traditional surveillance. We abstracted information about demographic characteristics, occupation, underlying conditions, and exposure source. Twelve of 19 US public health jurisdictions with data on reported deaths provided verification, and 7 jurisdictions reported whether additional deaths had occurred; we calculated the sensitivity of media scanning among these 7 jurisdictions. We identified 97 COVID-19–related first-responder deaths during the study period through media and jurisdiction reports. Participating jurisdictions reported 5 deaths not reported by the media. Sixty-six decedents worked in law enforcement, and 31 decedents worked in fire/emergency medical services. Media reports rarely noted underlying conditions. The media scan sensitivity was 88% (95% CI, 73%-96%) in the subset of 7 jurisdictions. Media reports demonstrated high sensitivity in documenting COVID-19–related deaths among first responders; however, information on risk factors was scarce. Routine collection of data on industry and occupation could improve understanding of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality among all workers.

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