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Number of abandoned dogs almost doubles
7:00am Saturday 20th December 2008
Comments (10)THE NUMBER of dogs being dumped in south Essex has rocketed.
It is believed canines are deliberately being let loose by owners struggling to pay for them during the credit crunch.
The amount of homeless dogs has nearly doubled from 85 between April and October last year to 144 this year.
Kennels are nearly full, while animal charities are finding it more difficult than ever to find new homes for the animals.
Bonita Boddie, a volunteer at the Southend branch of the RSPCA, warned some dogs may have to be put down as animal shelters struggle to cope this Christmas.
She said: “We’ve only got room for four dogs at the branch, so I have the puppies at home with me and some friends will take the older dogs for a night or two.
“But if they don’t go we will have to put them to sleep. It’s a last resort for me because I love dogs.”
Tony Ball, deputy leader of Basildon Council, said the problem was due to families feeling the economic downturn.
He said: “This is a disturbing trend which is likely to worsen over Christmas.
“Owners are letting their dogs loose on the street because they can no longer afford to keep them.”
Chris Cronin, owner of Lynton Kennels, in Lower Dunton Road, Laindon, agreed with Mr Ball.
He said: “More dogs are coming to us, which we can only explain by the credit crunch.
“People could be finding it harder to pay their household bills and their dogs are one of the first expenses to go.”
However Mrs Boddie, 53, said financial problems or not, there was no excuse for dumping dogs, and said much of the blame lay with breeders and unsuitable owners.
She said: “I don’t think anyone cares any more. I know people are hard up, but they need to take responsibility for their dogs.
“The breeders should take the unwanted ones back.”
Usually, the council deals with abandoned dogs through its dog warden service which picks up stray dogs found on the streets and takes them to privately run kennels where their owners can claim them.
However, Mr Ball said the council would be tough on anyone found to have deliberately let their dog loose and they could face prosecution.
To home a dog from Lynton, call 01268 545925.
Your Say YourEcho
Beth the original one, Hawkwell says...
3:58pm Sat 20 Dec 08
springthing, Old Wickford says...
4:39pm Sat 20 Dec 08
I bet the owners never went without a packet of fags!
You can feed a dog on what it cost for 1 packet theses days
Abandoning a dog because of the credit crunch is an excuse not a reason
TP, Basildon says...
6:49pm Sat 20 Dec 08
Coffin, Wickford says...
8:24pm Sat 20 Dec 08
evilc wrote:I saw this story and knew I would find a comment from you, it is not the dogs fault for being dumped, dog owners should stop breeding, it is obvious that there are too many dogs being bred for fewer capable owners and lets be honest that pic does not look like a British bulldog but yet another croos bred Staff!
At last we know it is Christmas with this headline story.
Next week it will be 'A turkey shortage'
westie, leigh says...
12:23am Sun 21 Dec 08
You are both absolutely right in your comments.
Evilc, I know you like to be controvertial, but some times you act the prat to be noticed. Sort yourself out.....
Mari, Westcliff-on-Sea says...
7:52am Sun 21 Dec 08
Soozie, Southend on sea says...
9:20am Sun 21 Dec 08
Mari wrote:Here here! You said it.
I am sorry, but i do not believe the credit crunch has anything to do with this problem. People who abandon dogs shouldn't be dog owners in the first place! As a dog owner myself, there would be 101 things i would give up or sacrifice, before i abandoned my dog. Have these people considered cutting down on alcohol, cigarettes or take-away meals? And that is just for starters! Stop making excuses for these low-lifes!
Animals are not expensive to feed.
I certainly would give a load of other things up before I gave or abandoned my pet.
It is s shame for these poor doggies. I find it shocking that people can afford to buy these dogs in the first place, yet leave get rid of them in the next. Terrible.
Radar Ears, Southend on Sea says...
10:57am Sun 21 Dec 08
When the going gets tough, they discard them like a pair of old boots.
I have two dogs, I've had them since pups, the Collie Cross is nearly 13, the Labrador is nearly 15
My partner and I don't smoke and only have a drink occasionally, but if we did, that would be the first to go.
I've always had the thought that when our two are no longer with us, we wouldn't have any more, as the heart-break of losing them would be so great, but we've changed our minds now.
When that horrible day dawns, we've decided that once we've sorted ourselves out and done our grieving, we will
go to a rescue and get the oldest, most difficult to re-home dog (or maybe two) and give him/her a good home in his/her twilight years.
Partyboy2, Southchurch village says...
9:53am Mon 22 Dec 08
Soozie wrote:Having seen the amount of 'trophy' dogs being paraded near the Kursaal estate by tracksuit wearing wide boys I dont believe they are the type of owners who would give up their special brew or Marlboro's to feed themselves let alone their dogs.
Mari wrote: I am sorry, but i do not believe the credit crunch has anything to do with this problem. People who abandon dogs shouldn't be dog owners in the first place! As a dog owner myself, there would be 101 things i would give up or sacrifice, before i abandoned my dog. Have these people considered cutting down on alcohol, cigarettes or take-away meals? And that is just for starters! Stop making excuses for these low-lifes!Here here! You said it. Animals are not expensive to feed. I certainly would give a load of other things up before I gave or abandoned my pet. It is s shame for these poor doggies. I find it shocking that people can afford to buy these dogs in the first place, yet leave get rid of them in the next. Terrible.
Abandoned — Spike, being cradled by Aden West from Lynton Dog’s Home, was found in Laindon last Sunday, but nobody has yet claimed the British bulldog
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evilc, essex says...
7:26am Sat 20 Dec 08
Next week it will be 'A turkey shortage'