Concern as 152 dogs put to sleep across NI

The announcement, by Alliance Party councillor Peter Lavery follows a statistical release by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

The figures show that 152 dogs were put to sleep across Northern Ireland in 2019-20.

In ABC, a total of 28 dogs were destroyed last year, 16 of these dogs were strays while a further 12 were categorised as ‘unwanted’.

Only Newry, Mourne and Down District Council destroyed more dogs last year as it put 53 dogs to sleep according to the Department’s figures.

Concerned that the number of dogs destroyed may rise as the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic hits homes across the borough Cllr Lavery said he will be raising the issue during Council’s monthly meeting.

“Dogs have a massive positive impact on individuals and families with many taking great value in the companionship that they bring as pets,” said Cllr Lavery.

“Over lockdown there has been a surge in demand for dogs and puppies, indeed I am looking into options myself.

“However, as the economic impacts of COVID-19 hit we will likely see a rise in the number of dogs that are abandoned and I am worried that more dogs will be needlessly put down as a result.”

Cllr Lavery continued: “Therefore I have been proactively engaging with council officers who have told me that normally dogs would only be destroyed if they have a serious medical or behavioural issue.

“However, they confirmed that Council has no formal policy in place regarding the destruction of dogs.

“I will be raising this important issue at the next Council meeting and asking that a formal policy be created so that no dogs who could be re-homed slip through the cracks and end up being unnecessarily killed.”

The statistics also reveal that Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council issues the most dog licences in Northern Ireland with a total of 19,577 licences issued and a further 185 block licences issued.

These licences secured Council a total of £126,882.50 in 2019/2020.

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