Who Kills Forty Dogs A Day?
August 31 2001
The UK - allegedly a nation of dog lovers - is needlessly killing nearly 15,000 healthy dogs a year, a survey by NCDL / MORI can reveal. The shocking figures show that 13% of the nation's 113,500 stray dogs are being killed just because their owners cannot be traced or a new owner found. The NCDL, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, believes that no healthy dog should be put to sleep and is urging all dog owners to help them stop this senseless destruction.
Last year there were 113,500 stray dogs in the UK, 14,800 (13%) of which were put to sleep. 24,970 (22%) were passed on to welfare organisations, and 17,025 (15%) were rehomed by the local authority. There was an average of 263 stray dogs per local authority. It is estimated that there is 1 stray dog for every 510 people across the UK.
Last year an estimated total of £24.5m was spent tackling the problem.
DESTRUCTION BLACK SPOTS:
- Northern Ireland: This remains a significant problem area. A massive 6,000 (53%) out of 11,400 stray dogs were destroyed - one in every two dogs. However, Northern Ireland has the highest rate of return of stray dogs to their owners through microchipping.
- North East: Out of 9,300 strays, 2,200 (24%) were destroyed.
- Yorkshire: Out of 6,900 strays, 1,300 (19%) were destroyed
The NCDL's 'Give A Dog A Life' campaign involves initiatives such as microchipping, neutering and education to help reduce the number of stray and abandoned dogs. Also, in areas were the campaign is operating, dogs are more likely to find a home than in areas in the same region where the scheme is not in place.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
There is some good news from the survey. Nationally, the number of strays has declined every year since the survey began in 1996. Ten of the 13 regions recorded a decrease in the estimated number of strays, most notably in the East and Anglia (-37%) and the Borders (-24%). The number of dogs put to sleep has also fallen from 17,100 to 14,800. Six regions saw a decline in their destruction rate, notably Central Scotland (-7%).
The main cause of strays is unplanned litters, which can be prevented by neutering. Owners are also being urged to have their dog microchipped, a permanent form of identification, which means they can be returned quickly and easily to owners should they stray. More councils than ever are taking part in microchipping and neutering schemes to help reduce the problem. An estimated 14,755 (13%) of stray dogs were returned directly to their owners without kennelling, and an increased number of these returns were the result of dogs being microchipped.
According to Clarissa Baldwin, NCDL Chief Executive, 'It's easy to turn a blind eye to this senseless destruction but it is irresponsible dog owners throughout the UK who are condemning these dogs to death. Please, please get your dog neutered and microchipped and help reduce the number of strays on the streets.'
Paul Ounsworth, Vice Chairman of the National Dog Wardens' Association added: 'This is a desperate situation - dog wardens are in this job because they love dogs not because they want to put them to sleep. Obviously, we are pleased to see that there has been a reduction in the numbers of stray dogs, but there is still a very long way to go.'
The figures relate to the period from 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 and represent returned surveys from 269 of the UK's 436 local authorities, giving a response rate of 62%.
For more info about the work of the NCDL see
www.ncdl.org.uk
All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.
