A Concerning Number of Stray Dogs Were Put Down In Ireland Last Year

They may be man's best friend, but the number of dogs in kennels and pounds around Ireland remains high.

What's worse, the number of unwanted or stray dogs who were put down in Ireland in last also remains high.

The Independent reports that at least four stray dogs were put down every day last year :(

Though the total figure for the year - a huge 1,522 - is 300 lower than the previous year, the news is still shocking and upsetting to all pet owners.

Limerick held the highest count of dogs being put down at 243 dogs and 31 greyhounds.

The best county was Leitrim, with only one of out 155 strays being put down.

Meath follows Leitrim with four out of 339 dogs, and in Kilkenny it was six out of 240 dogs who had to be put to sleep.

The report also showed that 9.244 stray animals were sent to the DSPCA last year, and 3,317 went to Dogs Trust.

But the good news is, approximately 6,065 dogs were saved by animal welfare groups last year.

Let's hope that's the only number that increases in 2017.