Battersea rescues more stray dogs

Figures were compiled for all 33 London boroughs

More than 5,000 stray dogs found on the streets of London were taken in by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home last year.

The south London charity said it had given a home to 5,357 dogs, a 20% increase compared with 2007.

The figures show 340 stray dogs were taken in from Lambeth last year, the highest number in any borough, compared with 60 in Kensington and Chelsea.

They were based on the number of stray dogs brought into its care by the public, dog wardens and each borough.

STRAY DOGS - TOP 5 BOROUGHS Lambeth - 340 Greenwich - 324 Lewisham - 324 Hillingdon - 321 Bromley - 283 Source: Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

Scott Craddock, from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, said: "While each individual borough has their own challenges in dealing with stray dogs...we are committed to working with all the boroughs to try and reduce the numbers of stray dogs coming into Battersea."

Mr Craddock said a number of factors, including diverse populations, a higher or lower number of green spaces, or limitations on the number of dog wardens, affected the number of stray dogs in a borough.

He called on pet owners to have their dog or cat micro-chipped so it could easily be returned to them if lost.

Stray dog figures were compiled across all 33 London boroughs.

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Battersea Cats and Dogs Home took in 20% more stray dogs last year than in 2007