Citation

Rock M. Crit. Public Health 2013; 23(2): 201-212.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09581596.2012.749343

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Dog walking enables physical activity and positive social interactions, but uncontrolled dogs as well as dog feces can foster conflict and deter physical activity, for both dog owners and nonowners. This case study shows that previously reported associations with dogs (both positive and negative) can be linked to the wording and the day-to-day implementation of, or incompliance with, local governments' bylaws on pets. In this example of posthumanist health promotion, the policy goal is to optimize the overall impact on well-being of pet animals. Analytically, the case study draws together insights from actor-network theory, Foucault's theory of governmentality, Bourdieu's theory of habitus, and anthrozoology (i.e. the study of human-animal interactions as well as related ideas and norms). Posthumanist health promotion is a theoretically informed approach that can assist in developing policy and implementation strategies, not only on pets but on a range of topics.