14% rise in North East stray dogs

The number of stray dogs found roaming the streets in our region has gone up. More than 11,000 dogs have been found by North East councils this year.

The figures - up 14 per cent from last year - go against the national trend. Most dogs are re-homed but, as Julia Barthram reports, one a day is put to sleep.

Katie Chapel, Dogs Trust.

Stevie is an 18 month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross. He was found as a stray in Stockton. He is one of 120 dogs waiting for homes at the Dogs Trust near Darlington. The centre re-homes around 100 dogs a month.

Rosie is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and is 18 months old. She arrived at The Dogs Trust when she was found heavily pregnant in Stockton. Rosie is just one of the 11,444 stray dogs picked up in the North East this year.

Rosie and her 8 pups have all been re-homed. The Dogs Trust has a policy of never putting a healthy dog to sleep.