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Campylobacteriosis has been the most frequently reported zoonotic disease in humans in Europe. The scientific literature has reported that the role of dogs may be relevant. The objectives of this work are to improve the knowledge about Campylobacter spp. carriage, infection and antimicrobial resistance in household and shelter dogs in Italy, and to assess risk factors at the dog/human interface. During the 2015‑2016 period, rectal swabs were collected from 431 household vet‑visiting dogs and 173 dogs housed in shelters. A total of 3 veterinary clinics, located in three Italian regions (Abruzzo, Molise and Tuscany) and 10 shelters, five in Abruzzo and five in Molise, were included in the study. Relevant risk factors for the transmission of Campylobacter spp. from dogs to humans were assessed by means of a questionnaire administered to owners of household dogs. For Campylobacter spp. isolation, selective cultivation methods were used, followed by confirmation and species identification with the PCR method. Phenotypic antibiotic resistance profiles assayed using antimicrobial susceptibility testing were combined. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 9 household dogs (2.1% CI 1.1% ‑ 3.9%) and from 13 shelter dogs (7.5 % CI 4.5% ‑ 12.4%). In household dogs C. jejuni was the most represented species (0.9%). In shelter dogs, the most common species was C. jejuni (5.2%). Campylobacter spp. isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (22.73%), nalidixic acid (22.73%), tetracyclines (27.27%), streptomycin (9.09%) and erythromycin (4.55%). The main C. jejuni Clonal Complex identified in dogs were CC21, CC45, CC206, CC403, CC42 and CC658. The risk of contracting Campylobacteriosis from dogs remains a concrete reality. This risk is increased in the presence of common habits, as shown by the data from the questionnaire. Prevalence control of Campylobacter spp. in household and shelter dogs would be important in order to reduce the transmission to humans.

The Italian National Law on "companion animals and stray dog population control" prohibits euthanasia of shelter dogs if they are not dangerous or seriously suffering. Free roaming dogs are captured and housed in long-term shelters (LTS) until rehomed, adopted or dead.In this scenario the sheltered dogs' welfare has become a community scientific interest but few information are available about the human sphere in dogs' shelters. Aim of this study is to evaluate the social relationship between dogs and shelter operators (employees and volunteers) and the impact of their job on their quality of life in Italian shelters.A questionnaire addressed to shelter operators was developed by multidisciplinary group of experts and it is structured in three main parts: general information, operators' skills and operators' welfare and emotional sphere. This questionnaire has been included into the Shelter Quality Protocol that was used to assess the welfare of dogs housed in LTS, and it is meant to be distributed in 64 Italian shelters. A descriptive analysis was carried out. These results show that, in general, Italian shelter operators have a positive perception of their job although this have a stressful impact on their lives.

All livestock transport within the European Union must comply with the EC Regulation 1÷2005. For sheep, this law prescribes a maximum journey of 29 hours after which animals must rest in control posts (CP) for 24 hours before further transportation. However, there is no scientific evidence de ning the effects of di erent stop duration on sheep recovery during long journeys. The aim of this study was to assess if a shorter stop could be provided without impairing ewes' welfare. Ninety-six adult ewes were divided into 4 homogenous groups. One group stayed at the farm (control) and the other 3 were transported for 29 hours (long-transport, LT), stopped at CP for di erent times (8 hours (S8 group); 16 hours (S16 group); 24 hours (S24 group)) and were re-transported for 6 hours (short-transport, ST). Blood and saliva were collected to assess dehydration, muscular damage, and adrenocortical stress before departure, after LT, after the stop, and after ST. The LT a ected the hydration of all transported groups (i.e. higher BUN÷creatinine levels than controls, p<0.001), but basal values were restored after the ST, regardless of the stop duration. After the ST, S8 group had higher muscular damage than the other groups (p<0.05). No di erences in stress level were observed. These results suggest that, in this trial, ewe's welfare was not impaired by a stop reduction from 24 hours to 16 hours.

Aggressiveness is reported to be the most important public health issue related to both owned and free‑roaming dogs. Common approaches to assess canine aggressiveness are temperament tests. The main aim of this study was to evaluate whether one such test, the Socially Acceptable Behaviour (SAB) test, created to evaluate aggressive and fearful behaviour in dogs in the Netherlands, could be used reliably to assess dog aggression and fear in a population of owned dogs in Central Italy. Reactions to the test were recorded and compared to the owners' perception of their dog's aggressiveness using a validated questionnaire (C‑BARQ). Dogs showing aggressive reactions during the test obtained significantly higher (more aggressive) scores on the C‑BARQ subscales 'stranger‑directed aggression' (SDA p<0.001), 'owner‑directed aggression' (ODA p = 0.03), and 'familiar dog aggression' (FDA p = 0.006), than dogs who did not react aggressively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that 7 of the SAB‑subtests were predictive of the SDA score. The findings indicated that aggression directed toward unfamiliar people can be reliably assessed using the SAB test for a population of Italian pet dogs.

Free-roaming dogs (FRD) represent a potential threat to the quality of life in cities from an ecological, social and public health point of view. One of the most urgent concerns is the role of uncontrolled dogs as reservoirs of infectious diseases transmittable to humans and, above all, rabies. An estimate of the FRD population size and characteristics in a given area is the first step for any relevant intervention programme. Direct count methods are still prominent because of their non-invasive approach, information technologies can support such methods facilitating data collection and allowing for a more efficient data handling. This paper presents a new framework for data collection using a topological algorithm implemented as ArcScript in ESRI® ArcGIS software, which allows for a random selection of the sampling areas. It also supplies a mobile phone application for Android® operating system devices which integrates Global Positioning System (GPS) and Google MapsTM. The potential of such a framework was tested in 2 Italian regions. Coupling technological and innovative solutions associated with common counting methods facilitate data collection and transcription. It also paves the way to future applications, which could support dog population management systems.

In Italy, National Law (281/1991) prohibits euthanasia of shelter dogs if they are not dangerous or suffering seriously. Adoption rates in rescue shelters are often lower than entrance rates, leading inevitably to overcrowded facilities where animals are likely to spend the rest of their lives in kennels. In this situation, housing conditions (i.e. space provided, environmental, and social stimulation) may have an impact on canine welfare. In this research project, the effects of two different forms of housing (group- and pair housing) on long-term shelter dogs were compared using behavioural and physiological parameters. Observational data and saliva samples were collected from dogs exposed to both experimental settings; behaviour and cortisol concentration levels were used as welfare indicators. Pair housing offered fewer social and environmental stimuli and behavioural analysis showed a significant decrease in locomotor, exploratory, and social behaviour. Cortisol levels show that this parameter varied independently of housing conditions. Although this study found no evidence suggesting that one form of confinement reduced animal welfare more than the other (e.g. in terms of abnormal behaviour, or higher cortisol concentrations), the type of confinement did affect the expression of a variety of behaviours and these variations should not be ignored with respect to housing decisions for long-term shelter dogs.

The principal tools currently used in Italy to limit stray dog populations are dog registration and identification, birth control and increasing public awareness. Since 1991, national legislation does not permit euthanasia of unwanted roaming dogs unless they have an incurable condition or are proven to be dangerous. Unattended dogs are placed in long-term shelters in questionable conditions where they often remain for most of their lives. Kennel management is one of the most critical aspects of animal welfare, particularly as the number of stray dogs is rising faster than the current rate of adoption. The Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale' (IZS A&M) manages two kennels in Teramo and uses standard management procedures that include regular behavioural and physical examinations. All results recorded in a computer database were analysed to identify production goals and improve welfare, in line with a population medicine model. Prevalence and incidence of different pathologies were recorded and analysed to improve veterinary management and organisation. No new dogs were admitted from 2005 onwards, thereby producing an ideal 'closed system' where the effects of rational management can be studied in the absence of unpredictable risks from introduced pathologies. Statistical evaluations revealed major differences between 2006 and 2007. The use of the 'population medicine' management system resulted in improved dog health and welfare, as indicated by the significant reduction in both the prevalence and incidence of major pathologies between 2006 and 2007. A significant improvement was also seen in the control of the incidence of leishmaniasis which reduced sharply during this period.

Transport can be a significant stress factor for livestock and can result in poor animal welfare and economic losses. Quality management measures are actively employed in fields different from animal welfare and could be applied to improve the welfare of animals and reduce the consequent losses during road transportation and related activities Training and education of staff comprise one possible measure, Web-geographic information system technology used to monitor the true state of transported animals is another innovation that promises major progress. With this technology, behavioural and environmental parameters can be monitored and registered in real time. The resulting data could be useful to control the transport environment and the conduct of staff. Although some parameters cannot be represented through numerical relationships, behavioural and environmental measurements can be used in a risk analysis system to minimise risks of poor welfare during animal transportation. The European Union Joint Research Centre and the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale' in Teramo are working on an experimental project to prove the feasibility of a navigation system for long road journeys as referred to in Regulation (EC) 1/2005 of the European Union. Such a system enables the collection of data on transported animals and the verification that welfare requirements are being met at any given moment during the journey.

This study was performed to determine the endocrinological starting point of parturition in ewes and to study correlations between the viability of offspring and the concentrations of faecal cortisol metabolites in the dam using 11-oxoetiocholanolone EIA (measuring 11,17-dioxoandrostanes). The levels of faecal cortisol metabolites of 10 ewes positive for ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) were compared against 10 negative ewes during the last week of gestation and 12 h after delivery. The mean concentration in the OPA group was higher (500-600 ng/g) than that observed in the control group (150-200 ng/g). The mean cortisol level showed a significant (p<0.05) increase during the last two days of pregnancy in all subjects (OPA and controls). The increase in faecal cortisol metabolites was not significant (p>0.05) in three animals (2 OPA and 1 control); their offspring showed low viability and died soon after delivery. These results underline that the mean baseline faecal cortisol metabolite concentration in ewes does not affect physiological pregnancy while, to ensure viability of lambs, it is essential that the cortisol level increases significantly (90%), regardless of its baseline level.