Every year people buy dogs as Christmas presents, and just months later animal shelters are filled with the same dogs. Above 10,000 dogs were destroyed in Ireland in 2008. That’s the equivalent of 27 dogs every day.

The ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ slogan is just as relevant today as it was when it was created by the charity 31 years ago. Some of the reasons that we hear of dogs being abandoned are truly outrageous and saddening, and we are bracing ourselves for the inevitable over the Christmas period.

“Having a dog is a long-term commitment and Christmas gives us the opportunity to remind people that dogs are not fashion accessories or disposable items that can be upgraded or discarded after just a few months.

Dogs Trust executive director Mark Beazley

Read more:

• Independant.ie
• Dogs Trust

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Image copyright greg westfall