Pound lists its sad canine figures

An average of 14 dogs a week end up in the New Plymouth district pound, and of those, four are put down.

According to figures just released by the New Plymouth District Council, 741 dogs were impounded in the 2005-2006 year, 105 canines fewer than the year before.

While most dogs were returned to their owners or given new homes, almost 30% - or 218 - were euthanised.

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Despite the figures being almost a year old - covering the 2005-2006 financial year - the council is required to release the dog control statistics under the Dog Control Act.

The vast majority of complaints to dog control in that year were for pooches on the prowl, with concerns about barking canines not far behind.

Just over 8100 dogs were registered during the year, with dog control officers receiving 2874 complaints - 1280 for wandering dogs, 729 for barking and 227 for aggressive behaviour.

Dogs attacking people prompted 66 complaints. MORE>>