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Hundreds of dogs abandoned during recession
PET dogs are becoming the innocent victims of the recession, according to Wealden District Council.
It said its animal wardens picked up 206 stray dogs in the area last year, with more than 2,100 being collected across Sussex as a whole.
Councillor Sylvia Tidy, cabinet member for environmental services, said Wealden District Council always made every effort to ensure abandoned dogs were re-homed wherever possible, but this was proving difficult as more dogs were abandoned.
She said, "Some 55 pets remained unclaimed and had to be re-housed with new owners. One unfortunately had to be put down.
"Dogs can be expensive to keep and, as a result of the recession, more animals are being abandoned across the county.
"It is at this time of year that dogs, given as presents over Christmas, may be under threat as the novelty of a new pet wears thin.
"If you are having difficulties looking after a pet, do talk to our animal welfare service or the RSPCA.
"Dog owners should act responsibly and ensure their pet is cared for properly throughout its entire life, even if it means having to make new arrangements to ensure it is properly cared for."
Cllr Tidy said that all potential owners should seriously consider whether a dog could be cared for over the long term before taking it home.
To help protect stray dogs, Wealden District Council advised owners to consider micro-chipping their pet, in addition to a legally-required ID tag, to ensure that animal wardens could reunite missing dogs quicker.
Wealden's animal welfare service can be contacted on 443555.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
