NI tops stray dogs figures

A new survey has revealed that local authorities in Northern Ireland collected nearly 11,000 stray dogs during the past year, with over a third of these needlessly destroyed.

The survey, compiled by the UK’s largest dog welfare charity Dogs Trust, showed that almost 4,000 stray dogs were put to sleep by local authorities, this is inspite of a 5% drop in figures.

Northern Ireland is one of the worst areas in the whole of the UK with local figures equating to 10% of the national total of strays collected. The number being destroyed represents a startling 49% of the figures for the whole of the UK.

Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust Chief Executive, said: “It’s sad that, though we claim to be animal-lovers, the throwaway mentality is so evident in our treatment of our own pets. It’s also shocking that so many dogs are needlessly destroyed. Over 20 dogs die every single day just for want of a home.”

The survey shows that despite a general reduction in the number of dogs put to sleep in the UK, there is significant regional variation.

“It’s a postcode lottery for a stray dog whether he lives or dies," Ms Brown continued. "In Northern Ireland, the chances of survival as a stray dog are really bleak, as 35% of stray dogs are put to sleep. However the problem is preventable and we are appealing to all dog owners to consider neutering and micro-chipping their dog.”

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, and cares for over 12,500 dogs every year through a network of 15 Rehoming Centres.

(MB/SP)