Moscow Stray Dogs

[Michael]

I saw a news item this morning about how successful and popular the Iraqi 'stray-dog-cull' was going in Bahgdad.

On the opposite end of that spectrum are the stray-dogs of Moscow, some of which routinely ride the metro system!

http://media.ft.com/cms/f0ea78f0-ff2b-11de-a677-00144feab49a.jpg

The stray dogs of Moscow are mentioned for the first time in the reports of the journalist and writer Vladimir Gilyarovsky in the latter half of the 19th century. But Poyarkov says they have been there as long as the city itself. They remain different from wolves, in particular because they exhibit pronounced “polymorphism” – a range of behavioural traits shaped in part by the “ecological niche” they occupy. And it is this ability to adapt that explains why the population density of strays is so much greater than that of wolves. “With several niches there are more resources and more opportunities.”

The dogs divide into four types, he says, which are determined by their character, how they forage for food, their level of socialisation to people and the ecological niche they inhabit.

Article (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/628a8500-ff1c-11de-a677-00144feab49a.html)

The article is very interesting - obviously some different sociology between Moscow and Bahgdad!

[Evangeline]

That IS a very interesting article. The most interesting are the dogs that ride the subway. About 20 of them have learned to do it.

What's the link to the story about Baghdad's dogs?

[Michael]

That IS a very interesting article. The most interesting are the dogs that ride the subway. About 20 of them have learned to do it.
Yes, I thought the article was very interesting. :)

What's the link to the story about Baghdad's dogs?
There's nothing to read about. The Iraqi government is paying hunters to shoot stray dogs in Bahgdad. Apparently this policy is popular with the local Iraqi people. That's about the whole story I got from a couple of news articles yesterday (sidelines to other news articles on Iraq). Not exactly the kind of story anyone is going to cover in any depth.

[Margot]

I've got a friend who visits Moscow pretty regularly. She says the Metro dogs are absolutely wonderful, friendly, and just like people.

Apparently some of them act as "station agents" for their less-smart peers.

[Evangeline]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/02/12/baghdad.dogs/index.html


Some Iraqis say that in areas where the sectarian killing was high and bodies lined the streets, the dogs became used to eating human flesh.


Sick.

[Margot]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/02/12/baghdad.dogs/index.html


Sick.

What's sick? The dogs doing their natural thing, or the circumstances that lead bodies to line the streets?

Because I don't mind the idea of carrion animals taking care of a mess, but I do mind all the bodies to begin with.

Or was that a Spicoli-esque "sick." (Fast Times at Ridgemont High).
In which case LOL

[MeMyselfAndI]

Actually, in one district, I forget where now, I believe the North-West District, there is a whole debate, local people (mostly the babushki who feed them) vs factory and its workers, babushki say a pack of dogs living in the park are good, friendly, and do not bother anyone; factory manager says two of his workers including a woman were beaten already, and they have to walk through that park, to work; they want the dogs shot. Their security guards say they will shot the dogs if municipal authorities not do it. But the babushki and their families defend the dogs. There was already an incident, one of the women was feeding the dogs, factory guard came and started advancing on her and the puppies, she stood in front of them, called out to her grandson, he came out, with his hunting gun (the guard had a rifle as well). They stood there and, literally, aimed at each other... What is this city coming to, people aim guns at each other, over dogs...