Animal welfare - Far too many dogs

Unfortunately, the recession has made it difficult to keep animals, especially horses or dogs, as pets.

Keeping these animals in anything approaching proper conditions has become too expensive for too many people.

The charity Dogs’ Trust has reported that each day last year, 29 dogs were given to authorities by owners who could no longer care for them. It would probably be foolish not to wonder how many more dogs were disposed of in other ways.

Of the 17,500 dogs or puppies placed in authorities’ care last year, more than a quarter were destroyed, even though many were perfectly healthy. Unfortunately, the recession has bitten here too as far fewer families than heretofore are in a position to offer a home to an unwanted animal.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has announced he will introduce legislation making microchipping of dogs mandatory but in the light of these figures, it is possible that a campaign to educate people about the challenges and costs of keeping a dog or a horse might make more sense and do more for animal welfare.