Fewer stray dogs put down in UK

The number of stray dogs being put to sleep has dropped this year, according to the Dogs Trust.

The animal charity reported that 7743 dogs were put down by councils because they were unable to find them homes, compared to 7798 in 2005.

The charity said pet owners should do more to help reduce the number of strays wondering the streets.

It recommends you get your dog an ID tag and a microchip so that if you lose it you can easily be reunited.

Click here to chat about animals

It also said you should get the vet to do a special operation on your dog, called neutering, to stop it having unwanted puppies.

Dogs Trust Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin, said: "Unless dog owners think about the commitment needed to look after a dog, dogs will continue to be put to sleep."

NI worst place for strays

Quiz What do you know about dogs? Enter

The survey of councils around the UK also found that almost half of all stray dogs put to sleep in the UK were from Northern Ireland.

Out of the 11,155 strays found there, 3079 were put down because homes could not be found for them.