OWNER NEGLECT LEADS TO 38,670 DOGS SEIZED IN FIRST TEN MONTHS OF 2016

• From 1st January – 31st October 2016, 38,670 dogs were seized
• Equivalent to an average 127 dogs seized every day
• Direct Line Pet Insurance reveals 2,447 seized dogs were euthanised in 2015
• Staffordshire Bull Terriers are most seized breed for the past three years
• Labradors, Border Collies, and Bulldogs also in 2016’s most seized breeds

New analysis by Direct Line Pet Insurance1 reveals that in the first ten months of 2016, councils seized more than 38,670 dogs – the equivalent of 127 dogs a day. Of those dogs seized so far in 2016, Direct Line can reveal that 11,213 were rehomed (29 per cent) and 1,238 dogs were put down.

The seizure of dogs has been on the decline over the past three years, having peaked in 2014 with 73,503 dogs seized by local councils (201 dogs per day). In 2015, there were 61,339 dogs seized by local councils (168 dogs per day), with the number of seizures this year indicating that we will likely see a continuation of this trend by the end of 2016.
 

Table one: Breakdown of seized, rehomed and disposed of dogs       

Source: Direct Line Pet Insurance~
 

Staffordshire Bull Terriers top the list of most seized breed from 2014-2016 and are also the most commonly euthanised dog breed. In 2016 alone, 5,963 Staffordshire Bull Terriers have been seized by councils across the UK. Jack Russell Terriers (2,175), crossbreeds (1,979), Terriers (834) and Lurchers (766) complete the top five most seized breeds in 2016.

The Lurcher has consistently been the breed most likely to be rehomed, while fewer than one in 25 mongrels find a new home once seized. The research also reveals the breeds that councils struggle to rehome once seized. Some breeds appear in the top 10 most disposed breed list, but are not one of the most seized breeds. German Shepherds, Akitas and Mastiffs are all commonly disposed of breeds, yet are not among the most seized breeds by UK councils.
 

Table two: Most seized, rehomed and disposed of dog breeds in 2016 (Jan-Oct)

Source: Direct Line Pet Insurance 2016
 

Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line said: “It is a shame Staffies top the list of the most seized breeds again and again. As with any dog, it takes energy, care and attention to train and Staffies are no exception.”

The majority (80 per cent) of dog owners list Staffordshire bull terriers as the breed most commonly collected by councils, showing a general awareness of the breeds’ propensity to be abandoned3. When asked why they think this is, around two thirds (65 per cent) said because of a lack of education about the dog breed and a lack of understanding about general dog ownership (63 per cent).

Local authorities have a legal duty to deal with stray and lost dogs under Section 68 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. The local authority which has seized the highest number of dogs to date in 2016 is Durham County Council (890), closely followed by Cornwall Council (881). The local authority which has seen the sharpest increase in the number of dogs seized is Broadland District Council, which seized more than three times the number of dogs in 2015 (68) compared to 2014 (18). 

A number of councils managed to rehome all the dogs they seized this year including Chorley Borough Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Monmouthshire Council.
 

Table three: Councils with the highest rehoming rate in 2016 (Jan-Oct)

Source: Direct Line Pet Insurance
 

Most councils pick up stray dogs in their districts and take them to local kennels. If the dogs are not claimed by their owners within a certain timeframe, usually seven days, they become the responsibility of the kennels who will try to find the dog a new home. If a dog is not suitable for rehoming it may be euthanised. London Borough of Tower Hamlets has put down the highest proportion of dogs seized so far in 2016.

Prit Powar continued: “While it is encouraging to see that the number of dogs being seized is reducing significantly year on year, there is still a long way to go. As a nation of dog lovers, there really shouldn’t be tens of thousands of dogs seized each year. Dog owners have a responsibility to ensure they can care for their pet and if they can’t, should take it to a rehoming centre or animal welfare charity, not let it roam the streets.”

Direct Line Pet Insurance urges anyone considering buying a dog for Christmas to seriously consider the implications of owning a dog, both financially and whether the recipient has the means to properly care for it in the long term.
 

ENDS
 

Notes to Editors

1 Direct Line Pet Insurance’s analysis of data supplied in response to a Freedom of Information Act request issued to the UK’s local councils on 28th September 2016. Data based on responses received from 313 of the UK’s 436 local councils. The data therefore will under represent the number of dogs seized, rehomed and destroyed. The majority of responses are based on calendar years but in some cases, the financial year has been used

2 Daily seizure calculations based on a full-year for 2014 and 2015 (365 days) and January to October 2016 (305 days, inclusive of February 29th).

3   Direct Line Pet Insurance partnered up with K9 Magazine, a lifestyle magazine featuring a wide range of dog ownership topics. K9 Magazine issued a survey to its readers, to which 1,540 responded.

For further information please contact:
 

Claire Foster

Direct Line

claire.foster@directlinegroup.co.uk  
0165 183 1672

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. UK Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 300 7838 or visiting www.directline.com
 

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