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Too Many Unwanted Dogs

End Needless Killing

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Please note: NCDL DO NOT DESTROY HEALTHY ANIMALS.

NCDL calls for an end to needless killing

More stray dogs than ever before were distroyed in the UK last year, according to our latest survey. Around 22,000 dogs were put down simply because they don't have homes.

Each year we commission a MORI survey of local authority animal wardens to investigate the plight of Britain's strays and monitor changes from region to region.

It's one of our most important campaigns to raise awareness of responsible dog ownership.

This year's survey shows that more and more coucils are listening to our advice.

Many now have been microchipping schemes, around one in five run a neutering scheme and almost all teach responsible dog ownership. But despite this, less than half of all strays can be reunited with their owners largely because of a lack of identification. Those not taken into recue centres, or rehomed by local authorities, are destroyed.

One ray of hope from this year's figures was a fall in the total number of strays, down 5 per cent to around 133,400. But that was little comfort when set against the 10 per cent rise in destructions to an estimated 22,000 dogs last year.

The highest numbers of strays per head of population were found in northern Scotland and the Borders, with the lowest number in London.

Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Humberside showed the most improvement, where the total number of strays fell by around 24 per cent.

NCDL Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin, said: "This needless destruction of dogs must stop. It's irresponsible dog owners who are to blame for these death sentences."

The NCDL, which has a strict non-destruction policy, believes that practical solutions - such as neutering and microchipping of dogs and education of their owners - will have a major impact on the problem.

For more information on the work of the National Canine Defence League - click on the pages called useful contacts and support networks to find out more.

RSPCA Statistics for 2000

The following are some of the figures from the RSPCA's annual review of 2000.

As we have already highlighted this number could be reduced through low cost spaying and neutering.

HOMES FOUND - 2000

The total homes found for dogs was 26,460.

The total homes found for cats was 44,996

The total homes found for miscellaneous (small animals/birds/horse's/etc..) was 24,947

The total homes found was 96, 403

HUMANE DESTRUCTION OF ANIMALS - 2000

Dogs: 10,123

Cats: 18,961

Misc: 59,854

Total: 88,938

PLEASE NOTE: Many other animals are homed or destroyed by other organisations apart from the RSPCA.