The RSPCA is in its third year of surveying stray dog numbers UK wide using the Freedom of Information requests and has found a dramatic 23 per cent rise in numbers.
In 2009 112,776 stray dogs were collected compared to the previous two years when around 87,000 were collected. The percentage of dogs being returned to their owners over the last three years has stayed at a relatively consistent figure of around 45 per cent. On average around 12 per cent of dogs are given to the public.
The percentage of stray dogs euthanised has also remained steady over the last three years at between six and seven per cent. The three years of data show that whilst the number of strays has increased, the fate of those dogs has changed very little.
While it is positive that the issue of strays has not grown significantly overall, it is extremely disappointing that despite the best efforts of local authorities and welfare organisations to help tackle the problem through education, microchipping and neutering, the measures have had a limited effect.
Stray dogs in the UK
For more information, read the 'stray dog' animal welfare indicator.
