Dogs being dumped in Plymouth streets as recession bites
MORE dogs are being turned loose to roam the streets because of the recession, a dog warden says.
"There has been a spate of Staffordshire bull terriers being abandoned and I am sure that is down to the economic situation," Malcolm Orchard, a South Hams District Council warden, said.
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The downturn has also put huge pressure on pet rescue centres.
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Ruth Rickard, deputy manager at the Gables Farm Dogs' and Cats' Home, said: "Generally there are a lot more animals needing to be rehomed.
"We have got a waiting list of more than 100 dogs and a similar number of cats," Ms Rickard said.
"Because of the economic downturn people are not getting their pets neutered so we are getting more pregnant animals coming in."
She said there were a lot of Staffordshire bull terriers and other terriers among the unwanted dogs.
They had also seen an increase in the number of wolf-like breeds, such as malamutes, since the Twilight Saga film series.
Mr Orchard is launching a campaign to encourage owners to microchip their animals. "The problem is that some owners do not take the time to check on what becoming a dog owner really means," he said.
"They don't look at it too deeply – the level of exercise, how much time has to be spent training a young puppy and the level of knowledge you need to ensure that the animal is looked after.
"Dogs are expensive to keep. Some cost up to £30 a week to feed plus quite high veterinary costs."
He added: "Some owners take on a big powerful breed and then find they cannot look after them so they just turn them loose without any identification – no collar, no marking. We want every dog to be microchipped so we can check on its ownership."
He is now launching the chipping campaign in partnership with Animals in Distress at Ipplepen (phone 01803 812121) to coincide with National Microchip Awareness Month.
They are offering to microchip any dogs through June and July for £5. The campaign will end with a session at Marldon Apple Pie Fayre on Saturday, July 28. Microchipping involves injecting a small device under the skin of the animal which when scanned by a microchip reader displays a unique number held on a national register by the RSPCA and Petlog. If a pet goes missing, and has no collar or identification, a kennel will charge £160 for collecting and housing the dog and £12 a day kennel fees on top.
But if you take a micro-chipped pet to a vet he will be able to scan and possibly re-unite with the owner – by phone without involving the dog warden.
Veterinary charity PDSA, which has a pet hospital in Stonehouse, said it had seen a sharp increase in the number of people coming to them seeking care for their pets.
A spokesperson said: "We see the effects of the recession in a slightly different way to those who take in abandoned pets.
"People use us when they are receiving benefits and with more households qualifying, more people are using us.
"The effects in Plymouth have seen that our hospital is no longer capable of dealing with all the city's needs which is why we've had to launch a £2million public appeal to help build a bigger hospital in Derriford."
Statistics show that between 2006 and 2011 there was a 42 percent increase in the number of people using the PDSA service.
A Plymouth City Council spokeswoman said: "We cannot confirm any increase in abandoned or feral dogs as we do not record the information in this way.
"The statistics we do have on stray dogs do not appear to show any particular upward trend."
Comments
by trudie2010
Monday, July 23 2012, 11:30AM
“A lot of people don't seem to train their dogs anymore, and a lot are kept indoors all the time, this isn't fair on any dog as they like new smells and experiences to remain well balanced. You should have to pass some basic test before owning any pet, and it should be registered to you so that if anything happens the owner can be traced. Maybe I.D. and form filling needs to be introduced, genuine animal lover wouldn't mind doing this.”
by kersweaz
Friday, July 06 2012, 2:03AM
“these reprobates that claim to be dog/pet lovers then dump them on the streets using the sad excuse to try and justify their self's in doing this. they cant afford to keep them any more, i can see this could be the case with some of them yet they still cant justify do this as their are many places that will take them at no cost so i believe they are just as bad as those that cant be bothered with them any more.
so many young persons above working age had thought it was a status thing to own bull terriers type dog's. in reality the dog's were no different than having a gold chain around their neck's or a packet of fag's both of which are disposable items so why would a dog to the carry any more importance to them.
each and every one of these individuals should have had the basic under standing that a dog as to eat extra and if they claim they did not then they should never had been allowed to have one in the first place what frighten's me the most these morons have children.
IT'S TIME FOR THE LAW PROTECTED ALL ANIMALS NOT JUST LIVE STOCK.
it would not cost much more to extend the system the government as to safe guard the live stock movements to lessen the risk to the public through the food chain.
we have to stop low life's from obtaining any pets all domestic animals should only be sold through registered pet shops or the like where the cost of micro chipping extra can be added to the sale cost of the pet. then their should be a ban on advertising pet's for sale unless it's from the registered company.
this would shut down all the back street breeders many of which i would not be surprised to be told many of them are benefit cheats or drug user's.”
by moyztedbear
Friday, July 06 2012, 1:03AM
“josdave thanks for your comment this is defo true the old bill are always at that flat the last time not long ago they had him pinned on the ground with his hands tied behind his back with a police man and police woman sat on him until the meat wagon arrived and guess what he was home a few hours later they have a union jack in the window box to let punters know they are in busines pch know about this flat but nothing has been done”
by Zebbey26
Thursday, July 05 2012, 11:54PM
“All this **** about the expence of keeping a dog or cat.If you think anything of your pet you would keep it and make sure its ok..
One day i saw the plight of dogs on here.when i sent an email too see if i could home one, i was told i lived too far away ( South Wales)
I have a back garden 25m x 20m...All fenced..My dog lives indoors and has a better life than most people..PS I did live in Plymouth in the 70s driving buses....”
by josdave
Thursday, July 05 2012, 3:33PM
“Re the drug dealers if this is true then social services should take the children into care. Wherever they put them will be better than where they are now. PCH should have relevant policy on pets which it clearly does not so they need to buck treir ideas up.”
by moyztedbear
Thursday, July 05 2012, 12:40PM
“we had a staffie many years ago she was obidient and very loyal some flats in plymouth have two or three dogs we know of one two bedroom top floor flat has two adults two small children and two big dogs ther is no garden just a tiny balcony when pcc owned these flats pets wernt allowed you got some people smuggled them in anyway but when pch took over they decided to allow all pets i agree in houses but not in these small flats and the flat im talking about the people are drug dealers with people coming and going all day also with horrible looking dogs this should be stopped”
by MPstink1
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 3:36PM
“bylove2live....probably the no.1 of all posts ever...so very true. All please read.”
by NICKERS
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 8:54AM
“by hanley2010Tuesday, July 03 2012, 12:59PM
"I see a lot of expensive dogs coming out of the pdsa in stonehouse, if they are on benefits how can they afford these dogs. Is a moggie not a good companion?"
This is how they can afford to have the pedigrees and big cars because they do not have to pay vets bills. I have three cats and do not have the luxury of free vet care.
My connection with PDSA is I give donations on a regular basis. However that is now under review because I cannot help feeling their services by SOME ONLY are being abused.”
by beerbarian
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 7:31AM
“and neuter chavs”
by willems
Tuesday, July 03 2012, 8:37PM
“This appalling state of affairs will only be stopped with draconian licensing,and thorough vetting of prospective 'owners',as to their suitability to be given charge of any living creature.”