Dogs Trust Stray Dog Figures Prompt Call for Change in Law

K9 Magazine News Editor

on September 8, 2009


A staggering 107,228 stray and abandoned dogs were picked up by
Local Authorities from UK streets in the last year, according to Dogs
Trust’s 2009 Stray Dog Survey. This represents an unacceptable
increase of 11% and is the highest increase recorded since records
began in 1997.
Dogs Trust strongly believes that 2008’s change in stray dog
law in England and Wales, whereby police no longer hold statutory
responsibility for stray dogs, may explain this sudden increase. The
charity also fears that the current financial crisis may have had an
impact in some areas.With over 9,000 unclaimed stray dogs put to sleep by Local
Authorities, the charity is calling on the Government to introduce
compulsory microchipping for all dogs in the UK. It hopes this will
reduce the problem and help reunite owners with their lost pets and
trace abandoned pets back to irresponsible owners.
In the last year, of those stray dogs that were returned to their
owners, 31% were returned due to being microchipped[i] – with
compulsory microchipping many more could be reunited.
The annual survey, conducted by GfK NOP on behalf of Dogs Trust,
shows a startling increase from the previous year. Despite the
sustained efforts of both animal welfare organisations and Local
Authorities, on average 12 stray and abandoned dogs an hour are now
handled by Local Authorities. Each hour:
* 5 are reunited with their owners
* 3 are taken to welfare organisations
* 1 is rehomed from the Local Authority kennels
* 2 are in kennels for their seven day holding period[ii]
* 1 dog is put to sleep[iii]
Dogs Trust Chief Executive Clarissa Baldwin says:
“This is the largest annual increase since our records began
in 1997. Previously we had seen a steady decline, but the latest
statistics show a huge jump in the number of stray dogs both handled
and put to sleep by Local Authorities. Some dog wardens mentioned the
recession could have been an attributing factor to the increase, while
others cited the change in the stray dog law last April.
We believe that the time is right to review the Control of Dogs
Order and are calling on the Government to introduce compulsory
microchipping of all dogs in the UK. Microchipping is an essential part
of being a responsible dog owner and has helped so many people become
reunited with their beloved pets.”
Compulsory microchipping already has significant support in the UK.
Over 90% of Local Authorities and veterinary surgeons and almost 90% of
dog owners are in favour of its introduction according to Dogs Trust
research. To date 45 MPs have signed a supportive Early Day Motion
(EDM) for the campaign and the charity has received additional support
regionally from local MPs from all three of the main parties.
The introduction of Compulsory Microchipping would:
* Enable lost or straying dogs to be reunited promptly with their
owners – meaning fewer dogs will be put to sleep at council pounds
* Permanently identify a dog in such a way that is virtually impossible
to alter or remove – a clear advantage for dogs that are stolen
* Enable clear identification of the dog’s owner when prosecution
is being considered for dog thieves and antisocial behaviour
* Significantly decrease the workload of all those dealing with stray dogs
* Reduce kennelling costs for Local Authorities and save time
* Allow puppies bred illegally or inappropriately on puppy farms to be traced to their source
* Significantly increase the welfare of racing Greyhounds as they could
be traced back to their owners whilst they are racing and once they
retire


http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/3844/dogs-trust-stray-dog-figures-prompt-call-for-change-in-law/

Dogs Trust seem to do a much better Job than the RSPCA in my opinion

is sure sounds like it karen... totally agree with the compulsary dog chipping... there should be license papers for all dogs too ... maybe an annual fee to pay too....