Almost 5,000 dogs have been thrown out on to the streets of Wearside and East Durham in the past five years – with up to one in five put to sleep because homes couldn't be found for them.
Figures obtained by the Echo under the Freedom of Information Act reveal a staggering 4,522 dogs have been picked up by Sunderland and Easington council dog wardens since 2002.
And kennels have had no choice but to put 810 animals to sleep.
Ken
nel owners say they are not surprised by the shocking totals as it simply demonstrates what little regard many dog owners have for their pets.
Sarah Wilkinson is manageress of Cleadon Kennels on Cleadon Lane, which takes in dogs picked up by council wardens in Sunderland and South Tyneside.
Read more...Strays on increase as dog killer quitsFace-to-face with six dogs on death rowWarning to keep dogs safePup Ghost's new lifeCampaigners call for return of dog licencesShe is furious with "inconsiderate" owners, who, she said, don't give a second thought to kicking their dogs out into the street and don't care that they may end up being put down as a result.
She said: "Dogs are just seen as being disposable. People don't think about how much of a responsibility taking on a dog is, and when it gets too much they just throw them out.
"It seems like we're just left to tidy up everybody else's mess."
When a dog is picked up by council wardens or police it is taken to the authority's contracted kennel.
Both the wardens and the kennel will check the dog for an identity disk or microchip and contact the owner if their details can be found.
If the owner cannot be identified or contacted, the dog is kept for seven days, with boarding costs picked up by the council, when that deadline passes the kennel can either find it a new home or destroy the animal.
Sarah said, like many kennels, she often keeps the dogs a lot longer than seven days – even though the council stops paying for their upkeep.
But sometimes if a dog is too ill, has behavioural problems that make it dangerous, or if there simply isn't room anywhere to house it, kennels are left with no choice.
"It's very much the last resort here. I can't bear it when they have to be put to sleep.
"It kills me every time I have to do it. It doesn't go away for days and days," she said.
"I'm the one who has to make the decision and I'm the one who works with them seven days a week."
Sarah added that the cheapest option to deal with a dog after its seven days are up is to have it put to sleep, especially if it is sick or injured.
Kennels receive no further money from the council after the initial week, and the only other regular income is from donations made by customers who rehouse dogs – just £40 at Cleadon Kennels.
Councils don't pay for operations or medication either, and a lethal injection costs kennels a lot less than major treatment by a vet.
Sarah holds an annual charity dog show to raise cash to pay for the dogs' treatment, but says sometimes some kennels simply can't afford vets' bills.
"Nobody wants to take the responsibility and we're left to sort out the problems caused by other people.
"If it wasn't for irresponsible people there would be no stray dogs."
Dogs Trust chief executive Clarissa Baldwin said: "For a nation of so-called animal lovers, it is unacceptable that we are prepared to treat animals as throwaway commodities.
"Dog owners must take responsibility for their pets.
"The message is clear. Get your dog neutered to prevent unwanted litters.
"Make sure your dog has a microchip and ID tag to ensure that if it does get lost he can more easily be reunited with you.
"We are working closely with the local authorities to achieve this, but unless dog owners think about the commitment needed to look after a dog, dogs will continue to be put to sleep just for want of a home."
