This article is from page 14 of the 2006-09-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
OFFICIAL figures show an increase in the amount of dogs put down in Clare in 2005.
According to the latest statistics from the Department of Environment, the destruction rate for animals in Clare in 2005 stood at 74 per cent, which represents a two per cent increase on figures for 2004.
The total number of dogs that entered the Clare pound in 2005 was 2,085 and from that 1,535 were destroyed.
Previous figures show that three times more dogs in Clare end up in the pound than the national average.
According to nationwide statistics, the national average is seven dogs per thousand population going to the pound.
In comparison, Clare has 18 dogs per thousand population.
Nationwide, the 2005 dog control figures show that 16,546 dogs, most healthy, were destroyed last year.
This is a 0.3 per cent decrease on last year’s figure of 16,598.
The total number of dogs held in Irish pounds increased from 24,716 in 2004, to 25,510 in 2005, representing a three per cent increase in total numbers entering pounds, proving the overall situation is not improving.
Limerick City has the highest destruction rate, with almost 100 per cent of animals put down, followed by Mayo, Kerry and Tipperary North and South, each with destruction rates of 90 per cent or more.
However, there was an increase in the rehoming of dogs in Leitrim, Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Louth.