RSPCA: “Going to the dogs” – report into dog welfare in Wales
Going to the dogs
– RSPCA Cymru publishes first ever report into dog welfare in Wales
Monday 26 November 2012
RSPCA Cymru has published its first ever report into the welfare of dogs in Wales.
Dog Welfare Indicators Wales brings together a collection of indicators that provide a unique insight into the welfare of the nation’s favourite pet.
Highlights from the report include:
• 84% of the public in Wales support proposals to legislate on dangerous dogs and irresponsible owners.
• 82% of the public in Wales support an annual compulsory dog registration scheme.
• More than 10,000 dogs were dealt with by local authorities in Wales, costing over two million pounds to local tax payers.
• In 2011 the RSPCA achieved 99 convictions for causing unnecessary suffering to dogs contrary to Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and 52 convictions for failing to meet their welfare needs under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act.
• Convictions for animal welfare offences have increased by 39%.
• 144 dogs were abandoned in Wales in 2011, an increase of 55 per cent on the previous year.
• Police forces in Wales spent £109,172 during 2010/2011 on dealing with dangerous dog incidents.
Welcoming the report, Steve Carter, RSPCA Cymru’s national director said: “For the first time ever, we are now in a position to understand the scale of the challenge facing us in Wales in relation to the welfare of dogs. And whilst the bond between humans and dogs may be still be very close for many in Wales, there is plenty of scope for improvement contained in the pages of this report.
“We are however pleased with the progress made by the Welsh Government, particularly in its intention to tighten the regulations regarding the breeding of puppies. We look forward to this legislation and also to the dog control measures to which the government is committed. As the nation’s leading animal welfare organisation, we also believe that these positive measures must be supported by the compulsory microchipping of all dogs and also an annual registration scheme”.
Ends
Editor’s note:
Dog Welfare Indicators Wales can be found at
http://politicalanimal.org.uk/RSPCA/RSPCA%20Report%20final.pdf
Gethin Russell-Jones
Senior press officer RSPCA Cymru
Cardiff
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