Hundreds of dogs putdown

Nearly 1300 dogs impounded in Christchurch have been euthanised in the past four years.

Figures issued by Christchurch City Council show animal management has rehomed or returned 5496 of the 6784 dogs impounded since 2011. During the same period, 1288 dogs were put down.

Cash-strapped dog owners will now be given another chance to get pets desexed for free in a scheme aimed at combating the city’s unwanted dog problem.

The council and SPCA Canterbury held ‘‘welfare clinics’’ offering free desexing, microchipping and flea and worm treatments at vet clinics in Aranui last October and November.

The organisation recently won another $10,000 grant to hold clinics in other suburbs in late June and September.

SPCA Canterbury marketing manager Raina Roberts said desexing was ‘‘the biggest issue’’ financially struggling dog owners faced. ‘‘If people were desexing, we wouldn’t have so many unwanted dogs.’’

Roberts said these were a problem across New Zealand but Canterbury’s shortage of petfriendly rental accommodation after the earthquakes likely exacerbated the problem.

A council spokeswoman said it was ‘‘dedicated’’ to preventing dogs from being impounded at the Bromley animal shelter. ‘‘Unfortunately, the [animal management] team cannot always identify the owner, or the owners are not complying with the officers recommendations, and the dog is being picked up repeatedly.’’

Roberts said 120 dogs ‘‘of all types, sizes and ages’’ were seen at last year’s clinics.

Cross-breeds were the most prevalent patients but chihuahuas and poodles also made appearances.

Upcoming welfare clinic dates and locations will be decided in the next few weeks.

Caitlyn Averill, a pet boarding attendant, with Maple, a 7-month-old staffy-mastiff cross awaiting adoption at the Canterbury SPCA.

Photos: JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON/FAIRFAX NZ SPCA Canterbury and the Christchurch City Council will hold two ‘‘welfare clinics’’ this year to help dog owners who are financially struggling to do right by their pets.