Stray dogs surge in Stratford-Upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon has seen a surge in stray dogs, which some say is tied to the Covid lockdown pet boom
A rise in stray dogs across Stratford-upon-Avon is being linked to the Covid lockdown pet boom.
Data reported to Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s regulatory committee this week showed that 44 stray dogs were collected in 2024, more than doubling the 19 that had to be dealt with the year before.
That new standard was pretty much maintained with 41 last year and the council is reporting “an increased financial cost for collection and boarding”, resulting in “a resource impact to the service”.
The district council’s environmental health and licensing manager Henry Biddington told councillors: “There is a suggestion as to why that might be the case.
“We don’t have any specific evidence but cost-of-living, dogs bought during Covid, we may be seeing the impact of those dogs now being abandoned.”
He said that the council had budgeted for the increase to be maintained into the next financial year.
Back in 2021, it was reported by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association that 3.2 million households had acquired a pet since the pandemic started approximately a year before.
Councillor Sarah Whalley-Hoggins (Reform UK, Brailes & Compton) questioned what the policy was on destroying unwanted dogs.
She was told owners have seven days to collect them from the kennels. After that, dogs are “rehomed or put to sleep depending on what condition” they are in.
“That is a decision for the kennel to make,” Mr Biddington said.
“The kennels we take them to will always try to rehome, that is their policy, but sometimes the dog is unable to be rehomed.”
Councillor Nigel Rock (Lib Dem, Bishops Itchington, Fenny Compton & Napton) requested information on how cases were split between urban and rural areas.
“I am particularly interested in this at the moment because we are in lambing season,” he said.
“Representing a rural ward, if some of these dogs are in rural areas then lambs might be at risk, sheep worrying and so on.”
Mr Biddington offered to find out but stressed: “We collect stray dogs if they are secure, we don’t go chasing dogs around the countryside or secure strays because they put people and traffic at risk.”