Almost 16,500 stray or abandoned dogs are needlessly put down in Ireland each year, animal rights activists said today.
The charity Dogs Trust said 45 healthy dogs were destroyed each day as it announced a new campaign today to cut the number of animals being put down.
It is hoping to reduce the number of unwanted litters, and therefore the number being put down, by offering people on means-tested benefits the opportunity to neuter their dog for €14.
The campaign organisers said around 24,572 strays were collected or handed in to authorities in Ireland in 2004, and that 16,598 of these healthy animals were put down.
Former Miss World Rosanna Davison, X-factor star Shayne Ward and presenters Gerry Ryan and Linda Martin joined members of the Dogs Trust charity to announce the subsidised neutering campaign throughout Ireland.
Plans for a national campaign follows a successful pilot scheme run in Cork at the end of 2005 which saw over 900 dogs neutered.
The neutering campaign begins on May 2nd. Anyone interested can call the Dogs Trust National Neuter Hotline on 1890 946 336.