NEW figures released by Dogs Trust reveal that the numbers of stray and abandoned dogs found have fallen but yet more than a third of Welsh owners will still lose their dogs at least once during the animal’s lifetime.

The 2014 annual Stray Dogs survey conducted by Dogs Trust, shows that 8,140 stray and abandoned dogs were handled by local councils across Wales from April 1 2013 and March 31 2014, representing an 8 per cent decrease from the same period in 2012-13.

This drop can be attributed to the advance of microchipping which has accounted for 740 reunions across Wales this year alone.

Even though these numbers have fallen, 26 per cent of Welsh dog owners are still losing their dogs. More than half of owners (54 per cent) don’t know whose responsibility it is to care for missing strays and even more (58 per cent) won’t know that their council is the best to call. Figures show that 69 per cent of respondents don’t realise that they only have seven days to recover their missing dog before ownership of their pet can be transferred to a new owner or potentially be put to sleep.

This has resulted in an estimated 364 stray and abandoned dogs being put to sleep across Wales by Local Authorities.

The stress on owners has accounted for workers taking time off with 18 per cent admitting to this.