Prevent Unwanted Pets - PUP

In 1976, the Department of the Environment's Report of the Working Party on Dogs' acknowledged the seriousness of uncontrolled breeding and the stray animal population, which they suggested was upwards of 1 million. In referring to the close and long standing relationship between man and animal, the report stated.

This relationship is sometimes mocked, occasionally cheapened and often ignored, but for many people dogs are indispensable as companions and working helpmates. It is regrettably true that they are also treated by many others as mere objects to be used without feeling and discarded without compunction. The fact that so many of the dog problems which now cause concern in this country are the result of unintentional or thoughtless cruelty should not disguise the fact that the cruelty exists and, particularly since the victim is both trusting and defenceless, is an affront to any civilised society.