Abandoned dogs

10:18am Thursday 14th August 2008

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IRRESPONSIBLE dog ownership has become a major problem across the country and all animal charities are reporting increasing numbers of unwanted, abandoned and neglected dogs, particularly the tough-looking breeds.

The sadness is that these breeds are being taught some ridiculous behaviour traits which is making them hard to rehome, resulting in many being destroyed, despite the fact they are friendly and perfectly healthy animals.

It’s only the dedication of animal lovers who are persistent in their belief there’s never a bad dog - only a bad owner that’s giving them another chance.

A very specific problem is the growing number of ‘street’ dogs being bought by young people as accessories and the current trend for reprehensible dog breeding and organised dog fighting.

Figures released by Metropolitan Police showed that in 2007 there were 943 incidents reported of dogs being dangerously out of control in a public place involving threatening behaviour. During the same period, 416 dog thefts were reported and 251 incidents of dogs being used in, or being present during, a crime. Although this has become a worry to local authorities and the police in bigger cities like London, according to Herefordshire Police spokesman Pete Butcher, this is not a problem in the county.

“I am unaware of any problems with young people and dogs,” he said.

However, there is still the problem of people buying these dogs and dumping them because they have been taught unsuitable behaviour that cannot be controlled.

Hereford & Worcester Dog Rescue Centre founder Carol Smith said that the dogs were being bought by young people who think that it’s okay to allow them to swing from the branch of a tree because it toughens the jaws but they are actually being taught really bad behaviour.

“What they are actually doing is being cruel to the dog. They also think it’s very funny to get the dogs to jump up at people and rip their clothes,” she said.

The Blue Cross believes there needs to be more understanding about animals and how to take care of them and has developed an educational pack it is taking into schools.

As part of the expansion of the children’s educational programme, the Blue Cross is looking to recruit volunteers to talk to local groups and promote better understanding of all aspects of responsible pet ownership. For general enquiries contact them using their online form or call Karen Allsop on 01993 825519. Minimum age for volunteers is 14 years.

If you feel that anti-social behaviour with dogs is a problem in your area you may be interested in a new scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour with dogs launched this year in London. It’s called the ‘People with Dogs Project’ and has been put together by three leading animal charities, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, The Blue Cross and the RSPCA with the Greater London Authority, the Metropolitan Police and Wandsworth Council.

The project is an educational pack and includes a workshop and is being sent to schools in the London area but is also available on request by any school who feels the need to educate young people across the country about the dangers to themselves, others and dogs. For more information email: peoplewithdogs@dogshome.org.