Over 10,500 unwanted dogs handed over to pounds

Over 10,500 dogs and puppies were voluntarily handed over to the pound system last year because their owners no longer wanted them.

Such animals made up the bulk of the 17,477 dogs and puppies that were handed over to pounds last year, accordng to the latest figures from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Goverment. The figures amount to an average of 29 dogs per day.

"When a dog is picked up by a dog warden and enters the pound system as a stray, the pound has a legal obligation to keep the dog for five days in case the owner comes forward looking for their pet," said Dogs Trust executive director Mark Beazley.

“However, when a dog is handed over by its owner, the pound has no legal obligation to keep it for any length of time and the dog could be put to sleep the same day,” he added. “The majority of these dogs are healthy animals surrendered by owners who cannot or, in some cases, will not care for their pet any more.”

Dogs Trust operations manager Catriona Birt said it had rehomed almost 3,000 dogs since the service opened in 2009.

Dogs Trust is currently operating at full capacity, with over 160 dogs and puppies in their care, including pregnant bitches, week old puppies.

For more information on rehoming a dog, visit dogstrust.ie or call to Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre, Old Ashbourne Road, Finglas, Dublin 11. Opening hours 12 -4pm including weekends, closed on Tuesdays.