Antrim Council ‘destroyed’ one dog every week in 2007 - just two less than London
Thursday, 11 September 2008
TRIGGER happy Civic Centre officials have been accused of having 'blood on their hands' after shocking new figures revealed that Antrim Borough Council routinely destroys at least one dog a week.
The myth that a dog is man's best friend has been cruelly exposed by the Dogs Trust this week, who have discovered that Northern Ireland is far and away the most dangerous place in the UK for a pampered pet to be separated from its owners.
Last year there were 6,710 dogs put to sleep across the country - and the province has the grim distinction of claiming the overwhelming majority of those lives.
There were 4,041 dogs destroyed in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months, which roughly translates to 11 per day.
The Guardian has learned that Antrim Council seized 254 dogs last year, with many going to the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary - which refuses to destroy any healthy animal - and others reunited with their grateful owners.
But 49 dogs were less lucky and were given the fatal injection.
To put that figure into context Antrim, a Borough of 50,000 people, destroyed just two dogs less than London - a city of over seven and a half million.
This year's figures include Nigel, Tony and Will - the 'Hurtletoot Three' - who were finally put down in February after a lengthy legal battle with Antrim Council.
The Council contended that the three animals were of a banned breed and went to court to prove it. They lost the first hearing, but the verdict was overturned on appeal and their fate was sealed.
The cost of the exercise was £30,000, which was shouldered by the ratepayers.
And while the case generated acres of news print, it was far from unique. Between April 2006 and February this year, 47 dogs were destroyed in Antrim as a result of the Dangerous Dogs legislation.
But Grace Orbison, the chair elect of the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary, insists that irresponsible owners must bear the bulk of the blame for the Borough's depressing death toll.
“There's no doubt that Northern Ireland has a major problem, and while it may be easy to point the finger at local authorities one has to remember that they are just responding to what's put before them," she said.
“The issue we are confronted with time and time again is owners who refuse to neuter their pets.
“There's this macho mentality that you can't castrate a male dog, or the notion that bitches should have at least one litter - because that's what they were born to do.
“One litter can mean eight puppies and they all need homes and feeding, and sadly at a time when many households are feeling the pinch it's the pets that are first out the door.
“Over in England the neutering message is getting through, thanks largely to groups like the Dogs Trust. Indeed there is now a shortage of healthy pups on the mainland and we are actually sending some across to help meet demand.
“Perhaps because of this shortage, pets are becoming more and more valued in England. Sadly the same isn't always true here."
The Sanctuary, as always, is 'stretched to capacity' with more than 50 dogs seeking homes - and their ranks are growing all the time.
“The Council's dog wardens often pick up a stray which they think would make a great pet so they come to us and we'll move hell and high water to get them in. Councils can only hold on to these animals for a few days because of financial concerns, so we want to give them every chance of a future."
Clarissa Baldwin, the Chief Executive of the Dogs Trust, agreed that there is 'still much work to do'.
“Dogs Trust is working closely with local authorities in Northern Ireland and for the past nine years has run extensive education, neutering and microchipping campaigns in the area to tackle the issue of stray dogs," she said.
