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New Dog Pound Statistics

  • 22-01-2012 5:13pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,194 ✭✭✭


    http://www.anvilireland.ie/dog-pound-statistics.html

    Very slowly improving but Ireland has a hell of a long way to go.
    Roscommon still has a 77% destruction rate. Also very sad to see that many counties have a 100% destruction rate for greyhounds:(

    When are people going to start acting responsibly when it comes to their dogs in this country?????:mad:


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,524 ✭✭✭Zapperzy


    I would imagine the ones that have a huge drop in pts rate is just where a rescue has stepped in as opposed to a change in ways in these areas. :( So really the country is just completely wedged with dogs at the moment as they aren't being pts'd.

    Is there any info on what that cost per dog includes? :confused: They don't neuter or microchip and very very few vaccinate and provide basic vet care so would be interested on where they get that figure from as some of them are ridiculously high.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,194 ✭✭✭magentas


    was thinking that myself zapperzy, Dun Laoighre cost 1400 whereas Cork city is just 80euro. Not sure how they arrive at these figures, like you said there's no neutering, chipping etc.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,441 ✭✭✭planetX


    The 100% kill of greyhounds is really shameful - why are they treated as less than other dogs.

    They make the most beautiful, sensitive pets.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,975 ✭✭✭Cherry Blossom


    As per forum charter - no discussion of the greyhound racing industry, it has it's own forum.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,772 ✭✭✭✭Whispered


    I can imagine that would be like trying to talk about the welfare of the fox in the hunting forum. :pac:


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 579 ✭✭✭Gareth2011


    planetX wrote: »
    The 100% kill of greyhounds is really shameful - why are they treated as less than other dogs.

    They make the most beautiful, sensitive pets.

    I 100% agree with you on this. I have 2 lurchers and a saluki and They are fantastic pets. Very gentle and loving. I wouldn't even dream aboyut using them for hunting. I hate hunting and don't agree with using hounds to do it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,975 ✭✭✭Cherry Blossom


    Whispered wrote: »
    I can imagine that would be like trying to talk about the welfare of the fox in the hunting forum. :pac:

    Then try humanities, people from both sides of the fence are entitled to their opinions but discussion of such topics in API have proven to be more than most people who frequent this forum can stomach, and people are unable to control their emotions when such material is put under their nose.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    Could the Mods please notify us of changes to the Charter. The heading shows that it was updated on the 28/7/2011. However it seems that Greyhound Racing has been added perhaps by edit on the 3/1/2012.

    We can't be expected to check the charter every time before we post. If we start a thread, in another Boards forum, can we link to it here so that the vast majority of interested members will know that the thread exists ?

    I was under the impression that posting in the Greyhound Racing forum against racing is not allowed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 651 ✭✭✭falabo


    yes I agree Greyhounds are BEAUTIFUL, calm , loyal and sensitive dogs. They probably are one of the best dogs to own as a pet.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,429 ✭✭✭✭star-pants


    Discodog - brief reply as I'm in work, I've updated the date in the title of the Charter, it was most likely an oversight. I will see about creating announcements on the A&PI forum when relevent amendments are made to the charter so that it gets the attention of posters.


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  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,885 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    Discodog wrote: »
    Could the Mods please notify us of changes to the Charter. The heading shows that it was updated on the 28/7/2011. However it seems that Greyhound Racing has been added perhaps by edit on the 3/1/2012.

    The Greyhound bit was always there.From the 27/7/2011
    The edit was by me on the 3/1/201 and was an edit related to Rescues.
    The post only shows the last edited date--even if you make no changes the date at the bottom changes-like Ive just done.I didnt change one full stop but the date has changed.


    We can't be expected to check the charter every time before we post. If we start a thread, in another Boards forum, can we link to it here so that the vast majority of interested members will know that the thread exists ?

    Maybe users should check it every time before they post that way some users might actually eventually understand the rules.
    As for posting a link from one forum to another--No problems there as long as its not to stir things up in either forum an example being an anti hunting thread linked to in A+P.

    I was under the impression that posting in the Greyhound Racing forum against racing is not allowed.

    If its part of their rules then you have to follow that forums rules.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    Zapperzy wrote: »
    Is there any info on what that cost per dog includes? :confused: They don't neuter or microchip and very very few vaccinate and provide basic vet care so would be interested on where they get that figure from as some of them are ridiculously high.

    The latest stats contain a lot of information that we have not had before. The Finances table gives an income & deficit figure for each LA & an expenditure figure.

    672 Greyhounds were killed in the Pounds with 202 being killed in Clare where the Pound is run by the ISPCA.

    The total number of dog licenses has gone down - no surprises there !

    All the figures are downloadable here - top link on the page:

    http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/DogControl/

    EDIT: I have spoken to ANVIL & the cost per dog assumes that all of the expenditure figures in the table is allocated to Dog Control. We are seeking clarification on this.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    The Greyhound bit was always there.From the 27/7/2011

    Well I must be going senile because when I was infracted for starting a Greyhound thread the reason given was "soapboxing" & not because it was a banned topic.
    Hellrazer wrote: »
    Maybe users should check it every time before they post that way some users might actually eventually understand the rules.

    It would make life much easier for the Mods if you just post a short list covering what can be discussed rather than a long list of what can't :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 620 ✭✭✭mosi


    Discodog wrote: »
    Well I must be going senile because when I was infracted for starting a Greyhound thread the reason given was "soapboxing" & not because it was a banned topic.

    Same here, when I was banned for starting another greyhound thread, the reason given made no mention of greyhounds being the issue. I read over the charter after that and saw no mention of greyhound discussion not being permitted.

    Many of us here have greyhounds as pets and, as many of them are byproducts of the racing industry, albeit the ones that got lucky (as opposed to the majority pts in the pound statistics), it is surely reasonable to discuss why so many are pts? Many aspects of why dogs end up in rescue are frequently discussed here, and I find it unfair that greyhounds are once again being treated as somewhat different to other pet dogs :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    There is some saying about truth & statistics. The Clare Pound figures make no sense.

    In 2009 Clare seized 1145 dogs & none were collected or surrendered.
    In 2010 Clare seized no dogs & 1160 were collected or surrendered.

    :confused:


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,885 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    Discodog wrote: »
    Well I must be going senile because when I was infracted for starting a Greyhound thread the reason given was "soapboxing" & not because it was a banned topic.

    The Greyhound stuff was added on the 19/12/2011.So I apologise for my earlier mistaken date.


    It would make life much easier for the Mods if you just post a short list covering what can be discussed rather than a long list of what can't :D

    No it would make it much easier if users stopped moaning about the rules.There are other fora on the web where the rules are less strict--youre welcome to post there anytime.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,885 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    mosi wrote: »
    Same here, when I was banned for starting another greyhound thread, the reason given made no mention of greyhounds being the issue. I read over the charter after that and saw no mention of greyhound discussion not being permitted.


    At least get your facts right--You werent banned for starting a greyhound thread.You were banned because you started two threads(the second one after being warned by a mod) trying to boycott a charity event that was run in a greyhound park.
    Many of us here have greyhounds as pets and, as many of them are byproducts of the racing industry, albeit the ones that got lucky (as opposed to the majority pts in the pound statistics), it is surely reasonable to discuss why so many are pts? Many aspects of why dogs end up in rescue are frequently discussed here, and I find it unfair that greyhounds are once again being treated as somewhat different to other pet dogs :(

    Ill tell you what--You can discuss greyhounds and their ending up in rescue/being pts as long as you can do it in a civilised manner.The reason for the ban was that there were users using this forum to post their personal agenda against the greyhound industry.This forum is not the place for that.
    So fire away--but the first time someone starts a personal agenda/starts to try and cause a flame war Im reinstating the rule and will issue a ban without warning--So let s try and discuss this like adults??
    Im going to amend the charter for now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    No it would make it much easier if users stopped moaning about the rules.There are other fora on the web where the rules are less strict--youre welcome to post there anytime.

    With respect there are other fora on Boards. Here is a recent thread which is less than complimentary about a certain well known rescue. Now if such topics are banned in API because of the threat of legal action why are they allowed elsewhere on Boards :confused: ? Is it OK to start a thread like this & then mention & link to it from API so that interested people can post ? And please note that I am not trying to take this thread away from an important topic. I am just responding to your remarks.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056516428


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    So fire away--but the first time someone starts a personal agenda/starts to try and cause a flame war .

    Most of the posters on API have personal agendas so does everyone on Boards. So we can discuss the Industry but not criticise ? This forum has hosted some excellent civilised discussions, for example on hunting or now on shock collars. Surely that is why we are here ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 620 ✭✭✭mosi




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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,429 ✭✭✭✭star-pants


    [ModHat]Just a note on legalities / libel - the A&PI forum is watched by a lot of people, so things are noticed much more quickly here than in some other forums where discussions may not be so frequent or promenant. This is why we have to be strict, this is where most of the discussions happen and where most of the outsiders look.
    Should someone find a thread elsewhere on Boards.ie that they have issue with (regarding libel etc.) they will be sure to let us know and it will be actioned in that forum also.
    It's that simple, trust me, we don't like having a list as long as your arm of 'things you can't say' but we don't generally have a choice. It's not an easy position for us mods either, but we do try to let discussions happen. This is why we make warnings etc. to prevent something being said that results in the thread being closed. It also doesn't help when posters make things difficult by arguing with us or continuing to post in a disruptive manner.
    That's my 2c on things and I'm only voicing for myself there.
    I also do not wish to drag this particular thread further off topic so if anyone wants, they can PM me, but lets move on within this thread.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,885 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    Discodog wrote: »
    Most of the posters on API have personal agendas so does everyone on Boards.

    Agreed but not everyones personal agenda affects the running of a forum or libeling a company or individual.
    So we can discuss the Industry but not criticise ?
    I never said that.I said feel free to discuss it in a civilised manner and we`ll let the discussion continue.However if the discussion turns into a libel fest / slagging fest we revert to the old rule.
    This forum has hosted some excellent civilised discussions, for example on hunting or now on shock collars. Surely that is why we are here ?

    While the discussion has been civilised for the majority,there are still some users that insist on breaking the rules and there are still some users that wont report posts.

    Now back on topic.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,318 ✭✭✭Vel


    I saw a discussion of Facebook about the greyhound issue and a well known Clare rescue said those figures can't be accurate in relation to Clare as they have taken a number of greyhounds for the Clare Warden as have other rescues.

    It was also stated that once the dog is surrendered in the owner can declare if they want the dog to have a chance of being rehomed or not, and if they choose not to then the Warden has no choice but to put to sleep. I wonder if this is the case or whther it could be argued that once the dog is signed over to the pound, then why should the owner dictate what happens to it. I wonder where the law stands on this issue.

    Who complied those greyhound figures? Were they all tattooed or could some lurchers have been included as greyhounds?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,441 ✭✭✭planetX


    Vel wrote: »
    I saw a discussion of Facebook about the greyhound issue and a well known Clare rescue said those figures can't be accurate in relation to Clare as they have taken a number of greyhounds for the Clare Warden as have other rescues.

    It was also stated that once the dog is surrendered in the owner can declare if they want the dog to have a chance of being rehomed or not, and if they choose not to then the Warden has no choice but to put to sleep. I wonder if this is the case or whther it could be argued that once the dog is signed over to the pound, then why should the owner dictate what happens to it. I wonder where the law stands on this issue.

    Who complied those greyhound figures? Were they all tattooed or could some lurchers have been included as greyhounds?

    I don't understand this, is it cheaper to surrender than taking your dog to the vet and having it put down yourself - why should the pounds provide subsidized destruction?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,524 ✭✭✭Zapperzy


    planetX wrote: »
    I don't understand this, is it cheaper to surrender than taking your dog to the vet and having it put down yourself - why should the pounds provide subsidized destruction?

    So our licence fee is being used to subsidize euthanasia for people who are too cheap to pay for a vet to do it, lovely. :mad: Would rather see it being used for subsidized microchipping or neutering tbh.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,318 ✭✭✭Vel


    Pretty much the case it would seem.

    A particular rescue once stated that on a particular day every week, the greyhound men line up outside South Tipp pound with their greyhounds to be put to sleep.

    This topic came up last year on another forum I view and someone rang the environmental section in Clonmel Co Co and she was told that she could go into the County Hall, pay €30 and would receive a Voucher/ticket to bring to Kilsheelan Pound and the Greyhound wouldl be pts and disposed of and she also offered her the dog wardens number :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    Vel wrote: »
    I saw a discussion of Facebook about the greyhound issue and a well known Clare rescue said those figures can't be accurate in relation to Clare as they have taken a number of greyhounds for the Clare Warden as have other rescues.

    It was also stated that once the dog is surrendered in the owner can declare if they want the dog to have a chance of being rehomed or not, and if they choose not to then the Warden has no choice but to put to sleep. I wonder if this is the case or whther it could be argued that once the dog is signed over to the pound, then why should the owner dictate what happens to it. I wonder where the law stands on this issue.

    Who complied those greyhound figures? Were they all tattooed or could some lurchers have been included as greyhounds?

    Because Clare is run by the ISPCA on behalf of the LA it is regarded as a Private Pound so it is not covered by some of the legislation that governs LA Pounds. I too have heard of Greyhounds being rehomed from there. I have emailed the ISPCA for some clarification especially given the strange anomalies between 2009 & 2010. I have also contacted the DoE for clarification on the expenditure issue.

    I have been told that to qualify for the Greyhound stats they have to be tatooed dogs but again I am seeking clarification on this.

    In general a Pound Keeper has total discretion over what happens to the animals in his "care". He can even sell them.

    Given the recent bad publicity regarding "worthless mongrels" I cannot imagine that the ISPCA would want to paint the picture as even worse than it really is. So if they have rehomed any Greyhounds their PTS rate shouldn't be the 100% that is published.

    Clare is not the only anomaly in the figures & I am trying to get together full list for the DoE. It is ridiculous to have mandatory reporting & then have a huge anomaly in one of the first Pounds on the list.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    Zapperzy wrote: »
    So our licence fee is being used to subsidize euthanasia for people who are too cheap to pay for a vet to do it, lovely. :mad: Would rather see it being used for subsidized microchipping or neutering tbh.

    If the LA expenditure figures are correct then it would make more sense to give the money to rescues & let them rehome the dogs. The total expenditure figure is €5,223,000. One problem is that, in general, rescues do not want to become Pounds because you will always end up killing some dogs. Also being a Dog warden is not a pleasant job for an animal lover.

    The ISPCA have said that they decided to run Pounds because they believe that they could do so in a more humane manner. The ISPCA operate 7 Pounds & they killed a total of 1491 Pound dogs in 2010.

    The problem is made worse because the law regarding Pounds & Wardens is all about "controlling dogs". It has nothing to do with welfare.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,226 ✭✭✭angelfire9


    Ok I know NOTHING about greyhounds so I'm not going to even attempt to get involved in that issue
    BUT
    I am from Clare
    And I do know something about the Clare animal situation
    The pound stats from Clare make no sense to me either

    Frankie Coote is the local ISPCA warden and I think he does great work along with Sam Cleary who works in the pound
    They have a weekly slot on Clare FM where they highlight animals that have been found and owners sought, animals that were stolen and are being looked for, and animals that require new homes
    They have a facebook page that is updated regularly (more than once or twice a day most days)
    They have had animals surrendered to them that they have rehomed, there have been a few since Christmas that I know of from the facebook page and they have an open evening (for rehoming) every Wednesday on top of that

    I don't know what more that they can do to be honest
    They used to work with local rescues to try and give dogs the best chance of survival but I know Clare Animal Rescue has run out of money so I don't think they are taking any animals at the moment
    There is a new rescue started up in Shannon which is taking alot of the pressure off Frankie for the Shannon area which has always been problematic with regard to stray dogs
    But Clare is a big geographical area and in the countryside dogs are dumped and new litters are looking for homes all the time, there is only so much 1 man can do unfortunately :(

    I will post a link to this thread on their FB page to see if they can comment

    (NOTE I am not in any way affiliated to or associated with the ISPCA or the local warden or the local pound)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    Well some aspects of the figures do make sense. Clearly either the LA are not paying enough or the ISPCA underestimated when then tendered for the contract. Clare spent €141,351 but only took in €43,183 in income so there is a huge deficit. The fact that the Warden only issued 20 on the spot fines & didn't prosecute anyone may be part of the income shortfall as their are only 3250 licenses registered in Clare.

    They took in 1160 dogs. 615 were rehomed or claimed & 547 were killed. This kill rate of 47% would be bad for an LA Pound but it is horrendous when you consider what the ISPCA are supposed to represent.

    I agree that the figures seem not to make sense but, as the ISPCA run the Pound, they must of been the ones who submitted them.

    I can confirm that the Income figures are from Licenses & on the spot fines. The Expenditures figures are the amount payed out by the local authorities to cover Dog Control. So with a LA Pound this would be the Pound cost, warden wages etc. For a Private Pound like Clare it would include a payment to the ISPCA.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,226 ✭✭✭angelfire9


    Discodog wrote: »
    Well some aspects of the figures do make sense. Clearly either the LA are not paying enough or the ISPCA underestimated when then tendered for the contract. Clare spent €141,351 but only took in €43,183 in income so there is a huge deficit. The fact that the Warden only issued 20 on the spot fines & didn't prosecute anyone may be part of the income shortfall as their are only 3250 licenses registered in Clare.

    They took in 1160 dogs. 615 were rehomed or claimed & 547 were killed. This kill rate of 47% would be bad for an LA Pound but it is horrendous when you consider what the ISPCA are supposed to represent.

    I agree that the figures seem not to make sense but, as the ISPCA run the Pound, they must of been the ones who submitted them.

    I can confirm that the Income figures are from Licenses & on the spot fines. The Expenditures figures are the amount payed out by the local authorities to cover Dog Control. So with a LA Pound this would be the Pound cost, warden wages etc. For a Private Pound like Clare it would include a payment to the ISPCA.

    The ISPCA have had the pound in Ennis for as long as I can remember certainly 20+ years would the contract not be renegotiated every few years? Surely they know how much it costs by now???
    Or is it possible that they are getting the same payment from clare co.co. now as when they started??


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,975 ✭✭✭Cherry Blossom


    angelfire9 wrote: »
    I will post a link to this thread on their FB page to see if they can comment

    Just a quick note here:

    This is exactly the reason why discussion on the activities of specific animal welfare organisations is banned here. Posters have no idea how many threats of legal action are made against boards because of threads brought to the attention of these organisations.

    Please note it is only the reference to greyhounds that has been removed from the charter, this part is still there:

    No recommendations, links to, or discussion of the activities of individual rescues. - By PM only.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 313 ✭✭Rabbitandcavy


    Back when I was in school, we had Frankie come in to do a talk, and he told us that the owners come in with greyhounds and make them sign like a contract or something that they will put the dog down, and not re home it. So the dog is pts straight away. He said it's because the owners are afraid that someone will take the dog out of the pound, train it up and win with it. :mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    angelfire9 wrote: »
    Or is it possible that they are getting the same payment from clare co.co. now as when they started??

    Pound Contracts normally come up for tender every few years & usually there are few bidders. The average income across the 34 Pounds is €73,000 so Clare is almost half the average. If you, as a private organisation, bid for a Pound contract you have to assess what income you will generate in addition to the initial payment. This money comes from fines & license enforcement.

    In reality €43,000 is barely going to pay for a man + van. It is up to the bidder to ensure that their bid is high enough to cover all their costs & make a profit.

    I can see nothing that forces a Pound keeper to kill a dog. Once the dog is signed over then it for the Keeper to decide it's fate.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,885 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    Discodog wrote: »
    It is up to the bidder to ensure that their bid is high enough to cover all their costs & make a profit.

    I can see nothing that forces a Pound keeper to kill a dog. Once the dog is signed over then it for the Keeper to decide it's fate.

    Heres my take on it.

    If its up to the Pound keeper then by all means there is every reason to kill a dog.

    Its obviously cheaper to kill than it is to feed,house,advertise for rehoming,vets fees etc than it is for a simple injection.

    And thats probably what most of these kill statistics come down to ie the financial incentive for either the state or the private pound.

    Its a disgrace if financial is the only incentive to either kill or rehome.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    Generally speaking the Pounds with the lowest kill rates tend to work closely with rescues. A Pound can never be like a rescue because it can never turn away a dog on the grounds that it is full. So if a load of dogs come in one day others will be killed to make room. Which makes it even stranger why an animal cruelty organisation would want to get involved in running a Pound - it can only ever bring bad publicity.

    Also imagine being one guy & having to travel all over the County collecting dogs - you will have little time for rescue work. One of my local wardens described his job as collect & kill.

    Maybe sometimes it's better to not offer a price to tender & force the LA to run the pound themselves for a few years. The publication of the LA's expenditure means that you would be able to see how much they spent & then tender at a lower price but still high enough to be able to do the job.

    Personally I think that the ISPCA should focus on what it was formed to do - prevent cruelty to animals. There is no point in it running Pounds unless it can do so with a lower killing rate than the LA Pounds & the clear evidence is that it can't.

    It is for the IGB to explain why, despite all its claims regarding Greyhound Welfare, 672 ended up being surrendered to Pounds.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,885 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    Discodog wrote: »
    It is for the IGB to explain why, despite all its claims regarding Greyhound Welfare, 672 ended up being surrendered to Pounds.

    The total greyhounds figures for seizures represents only about 4.2% of the total dogs seized but 13% of all dogs killed and thats scary.Is it just that greyhounds are harder to rehome??

    A 4% seizure rate in total is quite low but the 13% kill rate out of every dog seized is really worrying and that really needs answering.

    Any other statistics that break down by breed?Id like to see a breakdown of the supposed restricted breeds and see how they compare.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,378 ✭✭✭ISDW


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    The total greyhounds figures for seizures represents only about 4.2% of the total dogs seized but 13% of all dogs killed and thats scary.Is it just that greyhounds are harder to rehome??

    A 4% seizure rate in total is quite low but the 13% kill rate out of every dog seized is really worrying and that really needs answering.

    Any other statistics that break down by breed?Id like to see a breakdown of the supposed restricted breeds and see how they compare.

    Thats a very good point, there are a number of pounds that won't allow RBs out to be rehomed if not reclaimed.:(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    Is it just that greyhounds are harder to rehome?

    Yes very. People just have a totally wrong idea about them. You will often find that people are either indifferent about them or passionate. I was the former until I ended up with one by pure chance & most owners new to the breed will tell you the same.

    Some friends of mine wanted a dog but they were adamant that they didn't want a Greyhound till they met mine. When she is on your lap with her head on your shoulder she is very hard not to like. They are often perceived as hunting dogs - racing dogs are often muzzled when being walked. They are also seen as being highly strung yet they are the most chilled breed on the planet & very intelligent. People imagine that they need loads of exercise when they are total lounge potatoes.

    At the end of the day it is about awareness. It can still be quite unusual to see a Greyhound as a pet & that is why wonderful people like our Vel run events to show people what the dogs are really like.

    If a small welfare tax was added to all Greyhound betting & given to the rescues, there wouldn't be a welfare problem.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,441 ✭✭✭planetX


    +1 to the above
    they seem to be viewed by most people as an agricultural product rather than a pet dog. Add to this that the racing discards have usually not ever lived in a house, and can have issues with fear, they don't have much hope of being chosen in a pound. Anyone I know who has done so has turned into a huge fan of the breed.
    I'm another accidental hound owner - only half a hound:), but it's been an eye opener for me because I would never have chosen him. It's made me notice how few hounds (none) I ever see in popular walking places, and I've had the odd dirty look and people taking a wide berth - I would've done the same once :( Now I sometimes wish my dog was full greyhound - I blame all the bad behaviour on the other half....


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    planetX wrote: »
    they seem to be viewed by most people as an agricultural product rather than a pet dog.

    Given that Greyhounds are biologically identical to other breeds it just feels wrong to treat them so differently. To be killing 100% of any breed is simply not acceptable. It makes it even worse that these dogs are being bred for "sport" & that the governing body claims to be committed to welfare.

    A normal dog owner takes on a responsibility & commitment for the life of the dog. Why should Greyhound owners & working dog owners be any different ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 579 ✭✭✭Gareth2011


    planetX wrote: »
    +1 to the above
    they seem to be viewed by most people as an agricultural product rather than a pet dog. Add to this that the racing discards have usually not ever lived in a house, and can have issues with fear, they don't have much hope of being chosen in a pound. Anyone I know who has done so has turned into a huge fan of the breed.
    I'm another accidental hound owner - only half a hound:), but it's been an eye opener for me because I would never have chosen him. It's made me notice how few hounds (none) I ever see in popular walking places, and I've had the odd dirty look and people taking a wide berth - I would've done the same once :( Now I sometimes wish my dog was full greyhound - I blame all the bad behaviour on the other half....

    I agree. Myself and the wife got a saluki (our first dog) and we also took his pal who was a mongrel as they had been together for ages with the mayo spca but it took the good part of 3 years to get the saluki to trust us fully. He was found by the spca laying beside his dead brother on the main rd in mayo and they think he was used by someone for non-pet purposes cause he was so nervous. We now have 2 lurchers too and I can honestly say we wouldn't get any other breed of dog except hounds. They make very cute fantastic pets and are so loyal and lovable.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    In looking at the figures Clare is bad but it isn't the worse.

    These are the percentages of incoming dogs that were killed in ISPCA Pounds during 2010.

    Roscommon 76%
    Kildare 72%
    Laois 48%
    Clare 46%
    Kilkenny 45%
    Carlow 37%
    Offaly 25%


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,226 ✭✭✭angelfire9


    Discodog wrote: »
    In looking at the figures Clare is bad but it isn't the worse.

    These are the percentages of incoming dogs that were killed in ISPCA Pounds during 2010.

    Roscommon 76%
    Kildare 72%
    Laois 48%
    Clare 46%
    Kilkenny 45%
    Carlow 37%
    Offaly 25%

    All with the possible exception of Kilkenny would have a mainly rural population is that a coincidence?
    Then again the same could be said of the likes of Galway, Mayo and Donegal and there stats are much better
    It's very strange! :(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,378 ✭✭✭ISDW


    angelfire9 wrote: »
    All with the possible exception of Kilkenny would have a mainly rural population is that a coincidence?
    Then again the same could be said of the likes of Galway, Mayo and Donegal and there stats are much better
    It's very strange! :(

    And Leitrim of course, who have fantastic rehoming figures and work really hard at not putting dogs to sleep.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    There is one obvious & worrying difference between Pounds run by the ISPCA & the other Pounds.

    The average income per Pound for the other Pounds is €79K whereas the average across the 7 ISPCA Pounds is only €46K. Obviously of you haven't got the money then any rehoming is going to be limited. It also suggests that the ISPCA are very poor at negotiating with the LA's.

    Also the average number of Fines paid to ISPCA Pounds is 25 in 2010 whereas the average across the other Pounds is 73.

    The infuriating thing is that some Pounds prove that it is possible to significant reduce death rates often by working closely with local rescues. If some can do it then they all could.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 579 ✭✭✭Gareth2011


    That is true there are some rescue's/individuals who travle around or go to the same few pounds almost every week so save animals about to be pts. I know a girl who deals mainly with german shepards and last I heard she had about 30 of them from going around to the pounds she was full to the brim literally. Id love to do it but we have already suffered with neighbours over dogs we had here before and current. I hate seening a healthy animal pts but it equally bugs the sh*t out of me that people still think its ok to buy a puppy cause they want to raise the animal how they want, they don't want any bad habits :mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,961 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    I have just received some clarification from the DoE. The totals in the Strays table do not include the Greyhound figures so you have to add the Greyhound totals to get a final figure as to how many dogs are killed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 Animals


    Hi there, I sent an email to the department of the environment 2 wks ago to get clarification as to whether the pts figures included greyhounds and still have not received a reply. Would you think this is still how they record the figures, total put to sleep figures are strays plus greyhounds? many thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,413 ✭✭✭Toulouse


    As far as I am aware they don't include greyhounds, they are done on a separate sheet.

    Here's the link to the stats http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/DogControl/ they're just on the right-hand side there and there's a separate sheet for greyhounds beside the strays.

    If you need any more clarification I suggest you get in contact with ANVIL http://www.anvilireland.ie/


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