Where’s the puppy love?

A NORTHSIDE based canine welfare charity has expressed concern over figures released last week that show over 2,000 dogs were seized by wardens or surrendered by owners in the general Dublin area last year.

The shocking statistics from the Department of Environment include 627 dogs in Dublin City and 353 in Fingal. Of these, sadly, 126 were put to sleep.

Many of the dogs end up at Ashton Dog Pound in Dublin 15, which operates dog control on behalf of local authorities including Fingal and Dublin City councils.

However, with hundreds of dogs arriving every month it’s not possible to find homes for them all and pounds depend on animal charities like Finglas based Dogs Trust and the DSPCA.

Dogs Trust said that while national figures for dogs seized or surrendered were down six per cent on last year the charity remained concerned at the high numbers still entering pounds.

“The reality of today’s figures show that up to 40 dogs entered Irish pounds each and every day during 2014,

? said Executive Director at Dogs Trust, Mark Beazley.

“When a dog is picked up by a dog warden and enters the pound system as a stray, there’s a legal obligation to keep the dog for five days in case the owner comes forward looking for their pet.

“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.

“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 never destroy a healthy dog and our message to dog owners is very simple – please be a responsible dog owner by neutering and microchipping your pet.

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Dogs Trust actively works with pounds across the country in order to rehabilitate stray and abandoned dogs and rehome them through their centre in Dublin.

Last April the charity took in dozens of dogs seized in a raid on a Carlow puppy farm and found homes for them after a public appeal.

“Of the dogs entering our Rehoming Centre, 70 per cent have come directly from the pound system with the majority of them being there, through no fault of their own,

? said Operations Manager at Dogs Trust, Catriona Birt.

“No breed is exempt from being abandoned or surrendered. Since we opened in 2009 we have rehomed almost 5,000 dogs and we have genuinely seen almost every size and type of dog come through our doors.

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Dogs Trust is currently operating at full capacity with over 208 dogs and puppies in their care, including pregnant bitches, week old puppies and golden oldies.

The charity is appealing for homes. For more information visit www.dogstrust.ie or call to Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre, Old Ashbourne Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.

Opening hours are 12 noon-4pm including weekends. The centre is closed to the public on Tuesdays.