100 dumped dogs put down in Wolverhampton every year

Although the number of strays of all breeds seized in the city by Wolverhampton council has fallen over the past three years, the number of potentially dangerous dogs has risen.

Nationally around 20 per cent of strays are classed as status dogs but in Wolverhampton it has been as high as 75 per cent. The dogs are particularly popular with young men wanting to keep up a macho image but many are dumped when they become too aggressive for their owners.

Their savage behaviour means they are not suitable for re-homing and have to be put down.

City council bosses say it is a 'sad reality' that there are significantly more status dogs - such as Staffordshire bull terriers, rottweilers and akitas - being dumped in Wolverhampton and the West Midlands.

But they predict a new law being brought in next month, making it compulsory for dogs to be mircochipped, will help to relieve the problem.

It will also help ease the burden on councils and charities who have to look after lost animals. The average monthly cost to Wolverhampton City Council for kennelling fees is £6,500.

From April 6, any owner who refuses to comply risks fines of up to £500.

Latest figures show that the number of dogs of any breed found dumped in Wolverhampton has fallen from 669 in 2013 and 624 in 2014 to 533 last year, a fall overall of just over 20 per cent.

Owners who lose dogs have just seven days to reclaim their pet and must pay a £12 a night kennels charge and £38 council fee. After that the dogs are sent for rehoming if their temperament is suitable. However more than a quarter have to be put down.

Today city council spokesman Tim Clark said: "Our priority for stray dogs is to reunite them with their owners or otherwise rehome them.

"However, there are circumstances where this is not possible – for example if the dog is aggressive or in ill health. Sadly, in those cases where a dog cannot be rehomed it would be humanely put to sleep.

"It is a sad reality that in the West Midlands we get a much higher percentage of so-called status dogs being dumped or abandoned.

"Nationally around 20 per cent of stray dogs are status dogs, however in Wolverhampton that figure has been as high as 75 per cent some months.

"Unfortunately these animals are can be more difficult to rehome due to aggression and other behavioural problems. The situation is highly regrettable and we hope that the new law requiring all dogs to be micro chipped from April 2016 will lead to more responsible pet ownership."