Over 50% of stray dogs returned
9th September 2010
Councils which take in stray dogs have returned more than half of them to their owners this year, a survey has revealed.
It was only the second time since survey records began in 1997 that the number exceeded 50%. The previous time was in 2007, the Dogs Trust said.
The number of stray dogs increased from 107,228 in 2009 to 121,693 in 2010, according to the charity's annual Stray Dog Survey. And with the number of stray dogs on the rise owners would be wise to take out pet insurance just in case their animal decides to go missing again and comes back ill or injured.
The Dogs Trust said that the number of reclaimed or returned dogs also rose to 51% (61,908) this year from 42% (45,329) last year.
Where the method used to return stray dogs was identified, the proportion of animals reunited with owners through microchipping was 35% - up from 31% last year. The survey also found a drop in the number of dogs being put down by local authorities due to ill health, aggression or for want of a home from 9,310 last year to 6,404 this year.
Dogs Trust chief executive Clarissa Baldwin said: "We are delighted to see that microchipping is having a serious impact on the stray dog situation in the UK."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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