The number of stray dogs being euthanised has tripled in three years, research by Reaseheath College in Nantwich and others has revealed.
The study looked at the number of dogs across the UK and the Republic of Ireland having to be euthanised in dog shelters.
The research, published in the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute journal Animals, involved researchers from Reaseheath College and University Centre, University of Bristol, and University College Dublin.
They found that while more dogs are being successfully rehomed, the sheer volume of animals entering local authority shelters is placing an unprecedented strain on the system.
The study, which used Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to 403 local authorities, tracked data from 2021 to 2023.
It identified a notable change in the breeds entering the shelter system.
While Staffordshire Bull Terriers remained common, there was a recorded increase in larger bull-type breeds.
Notably, recorded cases of XL Bullies being within the top three breeds entering responding shelters rose from just one case in 2021 to 150 in 2023.
The collaborative study involving Paige McCormack from Reaseheath College and University Centre, Helena Hale from the University of Bristol, and Siobhan Mullan from University College Dublin reveals a number of key findings:
• Number of dogs entering local authority shelters increased from 16,310 in 2021 to 23,287 in 2023.
• Overall, 6.3% of kennelled stray dogs euthanised in 2023, a jump from 3.0% in 2022 and 1.9% in 2021.
• Proportion of dogs rehomed increased from 41% to 53% over the same period.
• Only 27% of responding local authorities had written welfare policies in place, and only 23% had formal euthanasia policies.
• 63% LAs provided useable data in response to the FOI request.
Paige McCormack (pictured, above), lecturer and course manager in Canine Behaviour and Training at Reaseheath and co-author of the study, said: “The findings reflect the immense pressure currently facing dog warden services.
“The data shows a clear trend toward more ‘bull breeds’ and XL Bullies entering the system over the past three years.
“These dogs are often harder to find rehoming spaces for, meaning they stay in facilities far longer than other breeds.
“Our goal is to provide a clear picture of the current landscape so we can better support these animals through informed policy.
“The surge in euthanasia rates isn’t a failure of the shelters themselves, but a symptom of a much deeper crisis. We have to be realistic: simply asking for more funding for shelters isn’t a magic solution to this crisis.
“To stop the heart-breaking rise in euthanasia, we must look at the root of the problem. We need to identify exactly why abandonment is increasing.
“Only by understanding the reasons these dogs are entering the system in the first place can we hope to reduce the impossible burden currently placed on our local authority pounds.
“What we are seeing is a shift in the types of dogs coming into care and the challenges local authorities face in managing them.
“It is heartening to see that rehoming rates are actually up, but the sheer increase in intake means many shelters are operating at breaking point.”
Researchers are calling for a more ‘harmonised’ approach to how local authorities collect and report dog data, and for that data to be more accessible given the FOI request response rate of 63% LAs.
Paige added: “Standardising how local authorities track these outcomes would support those working with stray dogs and the rehoming sector charities who work with local authorities and develop welfare strategies.
“At Reaseheath, we are committed to using this evidence to advocate for the highest standards of canine care and to support the professionals working on the frontline of animal welfare.”
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