A dog’s life for the unwanted canines

The Yorkshire Rose Dog Rescue, in Birkenshaw, found homes for four dogs during Christmas week after they were abandoned. Four more dogs have been rescued by the charity this week, while dog lovers fear countless others abandoned across West Yorkshire face being put to sleep by the weekend.

Kathy Hirst, from the charity, said: “There’s been such a massive demand for places this year and everywhere is full. The same happened last year as well. If you find a stray dog, it’s important that you take it to your local vet to get it scanned.

“If it has a collar and a micro-chip that’s the easiest way to get it back to its owner. If not, then unfortunately it’s a case of contacting the dog warden, who will house it for seven days.

“The reality is that dogs are put to sleep everyday in our area, seven days is all they have.”

On Christmas Eve the charity rescued a terrier cross which it named ‘Mary Christmas’.

Kathy added: “People dump their dogs at Christmas. We picked up Mary and thankfully it was her fate to be saved. For some owners, it’s simply that the dog is ill and they don’t want to pay £70 to have it put down. It’s heartbreaking.”

Visit www.yorkshirerosedogrescue.co.uk.