Call for microchip’ law to tackle London’s stray dogs
A STAGGERING 11,700 stray dogs have been picked up by local authorities in London in the past 12 months, according to latest figures. This represents a rise of 64 per cent rise from the previous year
A STAGGERING 11,700 stray and abandoned dogs have been picked up by local authorities in London in the past 12 months, according to latest figures.
This represents a rise of 64 per cent from the previous year and 10 per cent of all the strays in Britain.
It is the biggest increase since records began in 1997, the Dogs Trust warned this evening.
The charity, which has its London rehoming centre at Uxbridge, reported that 262 dogs had to be put down by local authorities for want of a home.
The trust believes the change in stray dog law in 2008, where police no longer hold statutory responsibility for strays, may explain the sudden increase.
Now it is calling on the Government to introduce compulsory microchipping for all dogs to help trace strays.
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Dogs Trust chief Clarissa Baldwin said: “The time is right to review the Control of Dogs Order. We are calling on the Government to introduce compulsory microchipping, which has already helped so many people reunite with their pets.”
An average of 32 strays are now handled by local authorities in London every day, says the trust. Some 45 MPs to date have signed a Commons Motion supporting the campaign for microchipping.
