ABANDONED DOGS ‘FASHION VICTIMS’ Apr 24 2007
by Staff Reporter, Liverpool Echo
‘FASHION-victim’ pet owners are being blamed for an increase in the number of dogs being abandoned on Merseyside.
Figures released by the RSPCA yesterday showed that the number of unwanted pets needing rescuing shot up by more than 40% last year.
And staff at Animals In Need rescue centre in Melling say that the death of St Helens youngster Ellie Lawrenson, on New Year’s Day, had had a huge impact on dog owners.
Since the New Year the centre on Spurriers Lane has had a huge increase of Staffordshire bull terriers on their waiting list.
They currently have around 70 a week being homed in the centre and waiting to be rescued.
Caroline Cassidy, 35, who has been manager at the centre for the past nine years, said: “What happened to little Ellie Lawrenson must have been a huge influence. It’s why dogs are being brought in to us.
“It was the fashion recently in Liverpool for people to have a Staffordshire bull terrier. It’s what you would see on the street. They’re now ending up here as the owners are fashion victims.”
The ECHO’s Biteback campaign has demanded for all dogs to be microchipped so owners can be traced, as well as life bans for anyone convicted of possessing a dangerous dog.
Ms Cassidy said they do not take any illegal dogs at the centre and that just a few dog owners make the rest look bad.
She added: “It’s not the dog. It’s the owner.
“Anyone can own an animal, but they may not be responsible.”
John Smallwood, secretary of RSPCA Liverpool, said he did not believe there had been a major increase in the number of animals on their doorstep.
He believes the slight increase is due to the RSPCA in Liverpool being one of the few places that also works with dog wardens.
l The RSPCA rescued 9,506 unwanted animals in 2006, an increase of 44% on the previous year’s figure of 6,590.
slight increase?
(w00t)
by Staff Reporter, Liverpool Echo
‘FASHION-victim’ pet owners are being blamed for an increase in the number of dogs being abandoned on Merseyside.
Figures released by the RSPCA yesterday showed that the number of unwanted pets needing rescuing shot up by more than 40% last year.
And staff at Animals In Need rescue centre in Melling say that the death of St Helens youngster Ellie Lawrenson, on New Year’s Day, had had a huge impact on dog owners.
Since the New Year the centre on Spurriers Lane has had a huge increase of Staffordshire bull terriers on their waiting list.
They currently have around 70 a week being homed in the centre and waiting to be rescued.
Caroline Cassidy, 35, who has been manager at the centre for the past nine years, said: “What happened to little Ellie Lawrenson must have been a huge influence. It’s why dogs are being brought in to us.
“It was the fashion recently in Liverpool for people to have a Staffordshire bull terrier. It’s what you would see on the street. They’re now ending up here as the owners are fashion victims.”
The ECHO’s Biteback campaign has demanded for all dogs to be microchipped so owners can be traced, as well as life bans for anyone convicted of possessing a dangerous dog.
Ms Cassidy said they do not take any illegal dogs at the centre and that just a few dog owners make the rest look bad.
She added: “It’s not the dog. It’s the owner.
“Anyone can own an animal, but they may not be responsible.”
John Smallwood, secretary of RSPCA Liverpool, said he did not believe there had been a major increase in the number of animals on their doorstep.
He believes the slight increase is due to the RSPCA in Liverpool being one of the few places that also works with dog wardens.
l The RSPCA rescued 9,506 unwanted animals in 2006, an increase of 44% on the previous year’s figure of 6,590.
slight increase?
(w00t)
