THE NUMBER OF dogs seized or put to sleep by local authorities fell last year.

A combined total of 15,481 dogs were either seized, surrendered, or collected .

That’s compared to 17,477 in 2012.

38 per cent of these animals were transferred to dog welfare groups, statistics from the Department of the Environment and Local Government show.

As with previous years, more greyhounds were surrendered or collected in Clare than other county, 183 compared to the next highest of 64 in Kerry.

Just 6 of these dogs were re-homed or re-claimed, the remaining 177 were put down.

More than 75 per cent of greyhounds seized, surrender, or collected across the country were put down.

Fines

A total of 4,005 on-the-spot fines were issued – but just 1,439 of these were paid, resulting in 227 prosecutions and 139 convictions.

More than a quarter of these fines were issued in South Dublin, although just 47 were paid.

That’s 4 per cent of 1165 fines issued.

Wexford, which has one dog warden, remained a problem county for stray and seized dogs.

Put to sleep (top 5 counties):

• Wexford – 441
• Cork County – 391
• Clare – 384
• Donegal – 199
• Limerick County – 183

Total: 3,516 (down from 4,500)

Re-homed/reclaimed (top 5 counties):

• Wexford – 611 
• Clare – 556
• Cork City-  539
• South Tipperary – 463
• South Dublin – 392

Total: 5,867 (down from 6,813)

Seized (top 5 counties):

• Wexford – 825
• South Dublin – 786
• Dublin City – 750
• Clare – 554
• Fingal – 427

Total: 6,668 (down from 6,903)

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