North Ireland : Thursday, 2 December 2010 (Local Time)
More than 1,300 stray dogs were destroyed in North Ireland last year. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development figures show dog wardens impounded 6,745 dogs in 2009.
While the majority of the animals were sold, rehomed or given to charities, 1,346 were put down by local authorities.
Fermanagh town had the worst record when it came to finding stray dogs a new home. Some 149 dogs were picked up by the council and almost 60% were destroyed.
This compare to Carrickfergus town, where over 80% of the 212 dogs impounded were reclaimed and just one dog was put to sleep.
The department said last year’s figures show certain trends within local authorities.
Coleraine town had the best record of returning pets to their owners without having to impound them, whereas Cookstown impounded all the dogs its wardens picked up.
Antrim and Moyle towns had a good record of passing dogs on to animal charities.
Story and Foto from : www.bbc.co.uk
