KCC defends the number of dogs put down

THE high number of dogs euthanised by Kerry County Council last year is because of a “social service” offered by the local authority to put down old and infirm dogs.

Figures from the Department of Rural and Community Affairs published recently show that Kerry County Council put down more than 124 dogs in 2017 – higher than any other local authority in the country. The figure is also higher than all of Dublin’s local authorities combined.

The statistics show that Kerry County Council came into the possession of 422 dogs in total in 2017. This figure includes strays entering the pound as well as dogs surrendered to the pound. 155 dogs were re-homed or reclaimed and 140 were transferred to dog welfare groups. 124 were euthanised by the local authority.

Tipperary and Wexford also the only other two counties who euthanised more than 100 dogs according to the figures.

In a statement, Kerry County Council said that the figures released by the Department do not take into account the service it offers to put down and dispose of dogs who are old and infirm.

In a statement they said that the council provides “a social service to the people of Kerry where old and infirm dogs are euthanised and the bodies disposed of at a much-reduced rate.

“This has proven to be a very popular service to the public and was introduced initially to reduce the number of dogs abandoned. This inflates the number of dogs put to sleep by Kerry County Council.”

They said that the number of dogs put down is in fact downward despite the statistics released by the Department.

They also stated that they do not euthanise healthy animals if a home can be found for them but are reliant on the public and animal welfare organisations to provide such a home.