New research highlights the adverse environmental impact of pet dogs, revealing it to be greater than commonly acknowledged. An Australian review emphasizes how owned dogs disturb wildlife, pollute waterways, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Dogs are implicated in wildlife attacks, particularly on native species like penguins, and their presence alters the behavior of other animals such as deer and foxes. Additionally, the pet food industry significantly contributes to carbon footprints, comparable to emissions from entire countries. Prof Bill Bateman stresses the need for awareness rather than condemnation regarding these impacts.
In the US, studies have found that deer, foxes and bobcats were less active in or avoid wilderness areas where dogs were allowed, indicating significant impacts on native wildlife.
The carbon footprint of pets is significant; the dry pet food industry alone has an environmental footprint of around twice the area of the UK, contributing massively to greenhouse gas emissions.
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