Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
12 dogs destroyed
Chihuahua among pets put down for aggression
AN 11-year-old Chihuahua was one of 12 dogs destroyed by Dundee City Council this year.
Figures provided to the Tele revealed that the small pet — a breed of dog that can range in size between 2lb and 6lb and is one of the smallest in the world — was put to sleep for biting.
Among the other dogs destroyed by the local authority was a two-year-old cross Rottweiler which was put down due to its “very aggressive and dominant” behaviour.
A nine-year-old cross terrier was also put down for biting its owner numerous times.
Some of the other dogs were destroyed for health reasons.
A nine-year-old cross Staffordshire Bull Terrier was put down for dementia/ill health and another unspecified breed was put to sleep due to a fastgrowing tumour.
The local authority said the 12 dogs were unable to be saved and that putting them down was the only option.
The figure has nearly halved since last year, when the council put 23 dogs to sleep — 18 of which were due to aggressive behaviour.
Six of the dogs were Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeder Andrew Brown, 43, said: “Generally as a breed they’re not dangerous and they’re very people-friendly. But like any animal they can react to certain situations. They are very powerful dogs. I’m not one that thinks a dog should never be put down. If there’s any risk and if there have been incidents then it’s the right thing to do.”
The number of dogs being destroyed has dropped significantly since 1988, when 996 dogs were put down.
Since 2006, the figure has remained below 30 every year.
Meanwhile, Fife Council destroyed three dogs for aggressive behaviour this year — a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and two cross breeds.
Neither Perth and Kinross Council nor Angus Council put any dogs to sleep this year.
A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “The council policy is to put dogs to sleep only in extreme circumstances for reasons related to behaviour or illness. Every effort is made to rehome dogs that have been abandoned.”