Appeal for help in rehoming Staffie strays

ANIMAL rescue centres across the county are feeling the strain of the increasing number of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and other similar cross-breeds which are being picked up as strays.

The stark warning has come from Worcestershire Regulatory Services which said a number of the breed had been picked up in several districts, including Bromsgrove, Redditch, Worcester City, Wychavon and Wyre Forest.

In just the last month, from March 24 to April 24, 30 Staffies were taken in from the whole of Worcestershire, including 12 from across Bromsgrove and Redditch.

Of those, three, two of which were pitbulls, were destroyed.

Rehoming dog warden Pip Singleton, from Worcestershire Regulatory Services, said, with limited space at rescue centres, the situation was becoming dire and it had led to dogs being destroyed.

“These beautiful dogs are being abandoned in large numbers but are not being claimed.

“In the last two months, RSPCA Worcester, Dogs Trust Evesham and Forest Dog Rescue in Kidderminster have helped take in so many, but there is no let up and the Staffies keep coming in.

“Please don’t dump your dog, and please do not breed from it - there are just too many flooding the market.”

A spokesperson for Worcestershire Regulatory Services said, very often, Staffies were bred as 'status' dogs and then abandoned when their owners got bored of them and they also had an unfortunate reputation of being vicious.

"But they are not naturally agressive dogs - it's all to do with the way they are handled," he added.

Anyone wanting to find out more about how they can help or anyone interested in giving a Staffie a permanent home can call Pip Singleton on 01527 881395.

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