Irresponsible dog owners held accountable for UK’s stray dog statistics

A decade of campaigning reveals that the nation’s dog owners can’t afford to be complacent – leading charity cites the current trend for dogs as fashion accessories as a major cause of stray dog numbers.

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, has concluded that although there has been a dramatic reduction of stray dogs in the last ten years, progress seems to have peaked and the UK’s stray population has remained at a consistent level for the last four years, despite a year on year increase of re-homing figures.

A report conducted by GfK NOP on behalf of Dogs Trust, released today, shows that 105,068 stray dogs were picked up in the UK last year, and 7,892 were destroyed unnecessarily¹ – a small increase on the previous year’s findings. 

Looking back on 10 years, Dogs Trust can reveal that the sustained efforts of both animal welfare organisations and local authorities has had enormous benefit reducing the stray population, this follows a decrease of nearly 25% in the number of stray dogs and destruction rates down nearly two thirds (63%) since 1997.

 However, Dogs Trust Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin comments;

“These figures by no means paint a rosy picture of the nation’s dogs.  Ten years ago we vowed to campaign for better welfare for our lovable companions and the hard work put in by welfare organisations, like Dogs Trust and others, seems to be making good headway, but it is not good enough and we need the public to meet us. 

Stray figures show that we have reached a plateau and we can but conclude that there has been a cultural change in the last few years. There have been a tremendous number of breeds such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers through the doors of our rehoming centres, and this coupled with the current fashion for designer dogs such as Labradoodle and Cockerpoos suggests we are living in a throwaway society.

We are asking the public to take action and to consider fully the responsibility of owning a dog…they are not a fad or a fashion statement to be disposed of when the novelty wears off.”

The introduction of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in April of this year, brings with it new legislation whereby the onus of responsibility and duty of care falls upon the owner.  It is hoped the Act as well as the new codes of practice - which will be introduced in 2008 - will not only improve general animal welfare but help vastly reduce the stray dog figures.

Dogs Trust believes it is absolutely essential that it reaches this irresponsible minority and will continue to campaign for responsible dog ownership to ensure that stray dogs are a figment of the past and that no healthy dog is destroyed for want of a home.