Press Release

Mayor launches Free Dog Health Check

Monday, 03 December 2007

Over the last number of years Derry City Council has been working in partnership with Newbuildings Community Association in promoting responsible dog ownership; tackling local issues such as stray dogs and dog fouling. The Newbuildings Community Association has developed a dog friendly environment on their four-acre site, which affords a large open fenced area where dogs can be put off the lead and allowed to toilet as well as exercise; in addition to areas which have dedicated dog foul bins.

Derry City Council dog wardens continue to carry out regular community and school presentations, promoted neutering, as well as occasionally patrolling the area to encourage responsible dog ownership.

This year in association with the Dogs Trust, the UK's largest animal charity, we are promoting another amazing Free Dog Health Check throughout the council area. Last years campaign was highly successful with over 500 dogs benefiting from the scheme. Dog owners are encouraged to avail of this offer to give their dogs a free MOT. At the Health Check, all dogs can enjoy a veterinary check up, a full set of vaccinations, neutering, worming and flea treatment, plus a microchip, all absolutely free of charge. The offer is only valid as a complete package including neutering.

The Mayor, Alderman Drew Thompson welcomed the initiative saying: “This is a positive 4-month initiative for the Council area, which will be strongly promoted in areas where there are particular problems with unwanted dogs, dogs straying and fouling. In my capacity as mayor I would urge as many dog owners as possible to avail of this programme. I am grateful to the Dogs Trust for their continuing support to animal welfare issues such as this in the North West and I would particularly like to thank the Newbuildings Community Association for taking a lead in heavily promoting this initiative throughout their own community”

Ronnie Milsop of the Dogs Trust said: "The free Health Check scheme has been set up by the Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, as part of its commitment to reducing the number of stray dogs. According to a Dogs Trust survey, around 11,000 stray dogs are collected in Northern Ireland each year, of which around 4,000 are put to sleep by local authorities as their owner could not be traced or a new owner could not be found. While local authorities make every effort to reunite stray dogs with their owners, take dogs to rescue shelters, or find new homes, dogs are still being destroyed for want of a home".

Alison Wallace, of the Newbuildings Community Association said: "We believe that by targeting directly those within our community we will ensure that more dog owners locally can benefit from the scheme. We are using a two staged approach whereby; firstly we will ensure as many people as possible are made aware of the scheme through our community news letter; and secondly by educating people on the benefits of the health check; neutering in particular".

Michael Duddy, Dog Warden with Derry City Council added: "We want neutering to be the norm for anyone keeping a dog unless the person particularly wishes to use the dog for breeding. Neutering makes for a healthier dog. For example, unneutered male dogs may fight with other dogs when a bitch (female dog) in heat is near and can also suffer from testicular cancer. Females are at risk from infections of the womb and mammary tumours if left unneutered. Female dogs also suffer unwanted attention from male dogs that are often bigger than them.

He added: “We have been working closely with the Dogs Trust for a number of years on various projects including school and community presentations, as well offering free health checks for all dogs reclaimed or re-homed from the Council Dog Shelter.” Derry City Council, along with the Dogs Trust, believes that neutering is the most humane way of controlling the stray population in the long term.

“Each year Derry City Council is faced with the unenviable task of humanely destroying healthy dogs that simply need a responsible owner. We are committed to tackling the serious problem of stray and unwanted dogs coming into the Dog Shelter and believe that neutering offers the best long-term solution to achieving this. Besides reducing unwanted litters and lowering the number of stray dogs, neutering is also important for the health and wellbeing of your pet.”

The scheme will run until the end of January 2008. In order to benefit from the Free Health Check for dogs offer, simply contact the Dogs Trust on 07925 290 499 to book an appointment where you will be provided with details of all the local participating vets.

For information and advice on responsible dog ownership contact the Derry City Council Dog Wardens on (028) 7136 5151 or the Council Dog Shelter, (028) 7126 1414.

Ends

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