Photo Credit: Sasha Sashina
Scientific Frontline: Extended "At a Glance" Summary: Rising Stray Dog Euthanasia Rates in the UK and Ireland
The Core Concept: A marked escalation in the euthanasia of stray dogs within local authority shelters across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, driven by an unprecedented increase in overall kennel intake volumes.
Key Distinction/Mechanism: Unlike standard shelter crowding issues, this crisis is uniquely characterized by a demographic shift in the stray population toward harder-to-rehome "bull breeds," notably XL Bullies. This shift leads to prolonged kenneling, reduced animal welfare, and behavioral deterioration, resulting in a tripling of euthanasia rates (from 1.9% to 6.3%) despite concurrent increases in overall rehoming success.
Major Frameworks/Components:
- Quantitative Policy Analysis: Utilizing public FOI records to track canine intake, rehoming, and euthanasia statistics across 403 decentralized jurisdictions.
- Breed-Type Adoptability Variables: Evaluating how specific physical traits and breed classifications correlate with longer kenneling durations, social attachment loss, and subsequent behavioral decline.
- Harmonized Data Systems Framework: A proposed methodological standard for unified data collection and welfare policy implementation across the UK and Ireland.
Branch of Science: Animal Welfare Science, Veterinary Ethics, Canine Behavior, Public Policy Analysis.
Future Application: The implementation of a systematic, harmonized data collection network across jurisdictions to monitor shelter trends in real-time, optimize kennel resource allocation, and shape evidence-based public policy targeting the root causes of animal abandonment.
Why It Matters: The findings expose critical systemic strains on local authority dog wardens and highlight the severe welfare implications of prolonged shelter stays on canine psychological and physical health. It demonstrates that increased shelter funding alone is insufficient without addressing the underlying sociological drivers of breed-specific abandonment.
The study, involving researchers from the University of Bristol, Reaseheath College and University Centre and University College Dublin, found that while more dogs are being successfully rehomed, the sheer volume of animals entering local authority shelters is placing an unprecedented strain on the system.
The study, which used Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to 403 local authorities, tracked data from 2021 to 2023. It identified a notable change in the breeds entering the shelter system. While Staffordshire Bull Terriers remained common, there was a recorded increase in larger bull-type breeds. Notably, recorded cases of XL Bullies being within the top three breeds entering responding shelters rose from just one case in 2021 to 150 in 2023.
The collaborative study involving Drs Helena Hale from the University of Bristol, Paige McCormack from the University Centre Reaseheath, and Siobhan Mullan from University College Dublin reveal several key findings. These include:
- The number of dogs entering local authority shelters increased from 16,310 in 2021 to 23,287 in 2023.
- Overall, 6.3% of kenneled stray dogs were euthanized in 2023, a significant jump from 3.0% in 2022 and 1.9% in 2021.
- Despite the challenges, the proportion of dogs rehomed increased from 41% to 53% over the same period.
- Only 27% of responding to local authorities had written welfare policies in place, and only 23% had formal euthanasia policies.
- 63% LAs provided useable data in response to the FOI request.
Dr Helena Hale, Research Associate in Animal Welfare and Behavior at Bristol Veterinary School at the University of Bristol, said: “More dogs living in shelters raises concerns from a wellbeing perspective, especially considering the breed-type data where some breeds are more likely to enter shelters and also be euthanized.
“We already know from wider research that breed-type impacts adoptability, leading to longer-term kenneling, which is associated with reduced welfare and increased behavioural issues. This can further limit dogs’ rehoming potential and make them more at risk from euthanasia.
“Even when kennel staff work hard to support the dogs in their care, dogs lose their social attachments and live in small spaces with restricted access to exercise and the external environment. What we are seeing in local authority kennels mirrors reported rises in intake in rehoming centers, making this a real concern for our nation of dog lovers.”
Paige McCormack, Lecturer and Course Manager in Canine Behavior and Training at Reaseheath and co-author of the study, said: “The findings reflect the immense pressure currently facing dog warden services.
“The data shows a clear trend toward more ‘bull breeds’ and XL Bullies entering the system over the past three years. These dogs are often harder to find rehoming spaces for, meaning they stay in facilities far longer than other breeds. Our goal is to provide a clear picture of the current landscape so we can better support these animals through informed policy.
“The surge in euthanasia rates isn’t a failure of the shelters themselves, but a symptom of a much deeper crisis. We have to be realistic: simply asking for more funding for shelters isn't a magic solution to this crisis.
“To stop the heartbreaking rise in euthanasia, we must look at the root of the problem. We need to identify exactly why abandonment is increasing. Only by understanding the reasons these dogs are entering the system in the first place can we hope to reduce the impossible burden currently placed on our local authority pounds.
“What we are seeing is a shift in the types of dogs coming into care and the challenges local authorities face in managing them. It is heartening to see that rehoming rates are actually up, but the sheer increase in intake means many shelters are operating at breaking point.”
Siobhan Mullan, Professor of Animal Welfare and Veterinary Ethics at University College Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine, added: “Our study has brought together for the first time harmonized data on dogs in local authority shelters from jurisdictions across the UK and Ireland.
“Given the close trade links in dogs between these countries, we encourage public bodies responsible for dog welfare to commit to a systematic, harmonized and publicly available data collection system. We saw differences between countries in both rates of intake of dogs to shelters, as well as rehoming and euthanasia, and we suggest that the countries work together to share best practices to promote dog welfare.”
The researchers are calling for a more ‘harmonized’ approach to how local authorities collect and report dog data, and for that data to be more accessible given the FOI request response rate of 63% LAs. Currently, the lack of a centralized system makes it difficult to monitor trends in real time or allocate resources effectively across different countries and regions.
Paige added: “Standardizing how local authorities track these outcomes would support those working with stray dogs and the rehoming sector charities who work with local authorities and develop welfare strategies.
“At Reaseheath, we are committed to using this evidence to advocate for the highest standards of canine care and to support the professionals working on the frontline of animal welfare.”
Published in journal: MDPI
Title: Increased Intake and Use of Euthanasia in Dog Shelters in the UK and Republic of Ireland 2021–2023
Authors: Helena Hale, Paige McCormack, and Siobhan Mullan
Source/Credit: University of Bristol
Reference Number: ss032326_01
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