1,300 stray and abandoned dogs put down in West Midlands over last year
More than 1,300 stray and abandoned dogs were put down across the West Midlands in 12 months, new figures have revealed.
The annual Dogs Trust report has revealed 1,396 animals picked up by councils in the region were destroyed between April 2013 and March 2014.
After being collected by council wardens across the Black Country and Staffordshire they are usually handed over to kennels who provide care.
Dogs which are in poorly condition or have behavioural difficulties face being put down, although legally those which are not collected within seven days can be destroyed.
The statistics released as part of a Stray Dogs Survey carried out by Dogs Trust show there was a fall of abandoned and stray animals in the West Midlands from 19,195 the year before to 18,798.
This matches with a national decrease from 111,986 to 110,675. Despite this, 31 per cent of dog owners are still losing their dog at least once in the animal's lifetime.
The survey found 64 per cent do not know who is responsible for caring for missing strays, with 42 per cent saying they would get in touch with a family member or neighbour rather than a council.
Clarissa Baldwin OBE, chief executive of the Dogs Trust, said: "The number of instances of straying on our streets is declining, but we still have a significant job to do when it comes to raising awareness about responsible dog ownership.
"Owners are unsure of who to reach out to and how much time they have to recover their dog should he or she go missing."
Councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environment and culture at Dudley Council, said: "Stray dogs found by Dudley Council remain in our care for seven days and if owners do not come forward in this time the dogs are relocated to City Dogs in Stoke on Trent.
"City Dogs then takes decisions on issues such as re-homing and veterinary care for the dogs."
Councillor Mahboob Hussain, deputy council leader, said: "Around 300 escaped dogs have been collected in Sandwell since January 2014.
"I would urge all dog owners to act in a responsible manner and have their dogs micro chipped.
"Micro chipping helps ensure dogs are reunited with their owners as soon as possible.
Sandwell Council often supports the Dogs Trust when it runs free micro chipping sessions in our parks. Escaped or stray dogs are taken to kennels where owners then have to pay fees when they go to collect them."