Bluecross

Animal charity forced to turn away nine out of ten unwanted Staffie-type dogs
19 Jul 2011

A leading animal welfare charity has revealed it has to turn away nine out of every ten so-called ‘status’ dogs at its rescue centres as the crisis surrounding these breeds deepens.

The Blue Cross, which features tonight (TUES) on Channel 4’s Undercover Boss, said that due to the sheer numbers of unwanted and abandoned bull breeds - which include Staffordshire bull terriers, bull mastiffs, and their crossbreeds - it is turning hundreds away because there are simply not enough homes for them.

Today The Blue Cross called on the government to crack down on backstreet breeding, urging dog owners to get their pets neutered to prevent unwanted litters, which results in so many of these dogs ending up at its door.

Blue Cross chief executive Kim Hamilton said: “We have a huge welfare problem with bull breeds in this country. There are large numbers being bred and a shocking number being given up and abandoned. We take in as many as we can at The Blue Cross but there simply aren’t enough homes for them to go to. It’s the same story at rescue centres across the country, so we need to tackle the source of the problem – which means getting these dogs neutered.”

Experts at the charity said the popularity of the dogs among people who want a tough-looking ‘status dog’ is soaring but many are being abandoned as owners lose interest or supply exceeds demand.

Viewers of the Channel 4 show will see rows of Staffies in kennels waiting for treatment at the charity’s animal hospital in Victoria, London. Last year (2010), The Blue Cross treated a massive 4160 Staffies at its hospitals and clinics.

The problem continues in the charity’s adoption centres which take on as many as they can but have to make sure they can find homes for all the dogs they rescue. Statistics from the charity show bull breeds take longer to find new owners than many of the other popular breeds.

The average stay for a Staffie, for example, is 46 days compared to just 30 for a Labrador, 26 for a retriever and 23 for a Yorkshire terrier. But this does not show the whole picture for this unloved breed who can often wait even longer for a home. One such dog, Kiera, was at The Blue Cross kennels in Burford, Oxfordshire, for more than 12 months.

Those dogs who cannot be taken in by The Blue Cross are referred to other charities or put on a waiting list until spaces become available. Last year (2010), the charity was forced to turn away more than 1500 Staffie-type dogs nationwide and the situation is getting worse.

Sadly, a growing number are just being dumped and become the responsibility of local authorities who are legally entitled to put them to sleep if the owners do not come forward after seven days and new homes cannot be found.

The charity offers free neutering for Staffie-types whose owners are eligible for their treatment at its animal hospitals and clinics because they can’t afford a private vet.

New figures reveal that only a third of male bull breeds treated by The Blue Cross are neutered, compared to nearly a half of other dog types.

Kim Hamilton added: “This is a welfare crisis and it needs urgent action. Huge numbers of these bull breeds are being left homeless, yet so few are being neutered.

“We are urging owners to get their dogs neutered – it has proven medical and behavioural benefits and could help stop this vicious cycle of overbreeding and abandonment.

“As a result of this crisis, we are introducing a stronger neutering policy at our hospitals. If we can prevent even a small number of unwanted litters, it may stop the heart-ache of so many homeless dogs ending up at our door.”

Despite their tough image, Staffies are typically gentle, affectionate dogs who are huge people lovers and with the right training and socialisation they can make excellent family pets.

If you can give a second chance in life to one of these deserving dogs, visit The Blue Cross website to view the animals available. To find out more about neutering and how you can help prevent this crisis, visit www.bluecross.org.uk/neuter.

The Blue Cross receives no government funding so it relies on the generosity of the public to continue its vital work. To find out more or make a donation, visit www.bluecross.org.uk.