Dogs Trust calls for compulsory microchipping to halt stray dog problem
http://www.dailyfix.co.uk/articles/81055/1/Dogs-Trust-calls-for-compulsory-microchipping-to-halt-stray-dog-problem/Page1.html
By Chief Editor
Published on 15 Sep 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 – 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
• 1 dog is put to sleep
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
Dogs Trust invests approximately £5m each year in neutering, microchipping and education programmes in the worst affected areas of the UK - Northern Ireland, North West, North East and Wales. Since the campaigns began in 1999, over 307,000 dogs have been neutered and 228,500 have been microchipped through Dogs Trust.
Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and cares for over 16,000 dogs a year through its network of 17 rehoming centres. Dogs Trust never destroys a healthy dog in its care.
Happy Ending case study
Bear is a six year old Collie cross who was found abandoned and tied up outside a local airport where his previous owner had decided to dump him. Luckily for Bear, Dogs Trust Harefield took him in and found him a new home with Claire Phipps.
Claire from Kingston explains: “Bear has settled in so well, he is so laid back, he has really made himself at home on the sofa and enjoying trips to Richmond Park and our local dog-friendly pubs.”
Rehoming Appeal case study
Jazmine, an unusual Afghan and Saluki cross, was found roaming the streets by Woking Borough Council and brought in to Dogs Trust Harefield (West London) for rehoming.
She is a shy girl who needs to build up her confidence around people. She is ideally looking for experienced owners who can do some basic training with her and teach her that the world is not such as scary place.
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 – 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
• 1 dog is put to sleep
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
Dogs Trust invests approximately £5m each year in neutering, microchipping and education programmes in the worst affected areas of the UK - Northern Ireland, North West, North East and Wales. Since the campaigns began in 1999, over 307,000 dogs have been neutered and 228,500 have been microchipped through Dogs Trust.
Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and cares for over 16,000 dogs a year through its network of 17 rehoming centres. Dogs Trust never destroys a healthy dog in its care.
Happy Ending case study
Bear is a six year old Collie cross who was found abandoned and tied up outside a local airport where his previous owner had decided to dump him. Luckily for Bear, Dogs Trust Harefield took him in and found him a new home with Claire Phipps.
Claire from Kingston explains: “Bear has settled in so well, he is so laid back, he has really made himself at home on the sofa and enjoying trips to Richmond Park and our local dog-friendly pubs.”
Rehoming Appeal case study
Jazmine, an unusual Afghan and Saluki cross, was found roaming the streets by Woking Borough Council and brought in to Dogs Trust Harefield (West London) for rehoming.
She is a shy girl who needs to build up her confidence around people. She is ideally looking for experienced owners who can do some basic training with her and teach her that the world is not such as scary place.