More Strays On UK Streets
However, the number of strays being put to sleep after the statutory seven day period has dropped from around 14,700 last year to approximately 12,900, or about one in ten (11%) of the total.
One in six (16%) strays were rehomed by local councils last year, half (46%) were reunited with their owners, and a quarter (23%) passed to welfare organisations such as the NCDL for rehoming.
Across the UK, there was around one stray dog for every 506 people. Regionally, Northern Ireland is the worst hit area with about one stray for every 151 people, while London retains its position as having the lowest stray population, with around one stray for every 1,462 people. Regions such as the North West, North East and Wales all have higher than average stray populations.
The amount of money spent on tackling the stray problem has increased with councils spending around £27 million last year. On average, each stray dog costs £230 for a local authority to deal with.
For more information about the stray dog MORI survey and the work of the NCDL, please call: 020-7837 0006 or go to: www.ncdl.org.uk/main.asp?structureid=239.
Technical Details
Questionnaires were sent to 432 local authorities in the UK between 18 April to 15 July 2002, with a response rate of 55% (239). The results are unweighted.
