Strays turned away at dogs' home

The Dogs Trust has a no destruction policy

Staff at a dog rescue centre in Leeds are being forced to take animals home after a fall in visitor numbers that has left kennels overflowing.

The number of potential new owners visiting the Dogs Trust has halved in the last week, a problem compounded by an upsurge in stray dogs in the city.

The centre, which takes in dogs at risk of being destroyed, is now being forced to turn down urgent requests.

Manager Amanda Sands said: "This has been our worst month for a long time."

'Safe haven'

The centre, in Adel, usually sees between 50 to 60 visitors every week but this figure has fallen to about 30.

Despite the drop, the Dogs Trust has taken in and found homes for 35 dogs in the Leeds area in July.

"We are urging members of the public who are considering getting a dog to visit the centre," Mrs Sands added.

"We desperately need to improve rehoming levels so that we can continue to provide a safe haven for all the stray and unwanted dogs in the Leeds area."