Watch :
Availability:
Sorry, this programme is not available to watch again . (why?)
Last broadcast on Tue, 10 Aug 2010, 01:40 on BBC One (Wales only) (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
2009 saw a big increase in the numbers of stray dogs recorded as being picked up in the UK. Tom Heap discovers that many of the unwanted dogs in pounds and rescues are Staffordshire bull terrier types - and asks why so many of them are being let go and destroyed.
Has the fashion for aggressive looking 'status' dogs contributed to the numbers of abandoned pets the authorities are now having to deal with? Panorama has gained access to one of the most famous animal rescues in the world, Battersea Dogs Home, and reveals the shocking truth of the numbers of dogs it is having to put to sleep.
Battersea sees 'shocking' rise in stray aggressive dogs
Battersea animal shelter says it is having to put down a growing number of dogs, many of them healthy but too aggressive to be rehomed.
Stray Staffie Brandy's sad fate
Panorama's Tom Heap follows two Staffordshire bull terriers - Ska and Brandy - as they are tested by staff at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to see if they are suitable to be offered out for adoption to find them new homes.
Battersea has released new figures showing that about a third of the dogs they take in have to be put to sleep. Most of them are healthy animals but they are deemed to be unsuitable for rehoming. Animal charities such as Battersea say the problem is on the rise and is in part a reflection of a growing street trend for aggressive-looking "status" dogs.
Britain's Unwanted Pets - join our discussion
Panorama 2000 to 2008
If you'd like to know more about Panorama programmes dating back to 2000, including features, transcripts, video content and more, please click on the link below.
Credits
- Presenter
- Jeremy Vine
- Reporter
- Tom Heap
- Producer
- Elizabeth Byrne
Broadcasts
-
Mon 2 Aug 201020:30
-
Thu 5 Aug 201004:30
-
Fri 6 Aug 201000:35
-
Sun 8 Aug 201020:30
-
Tue 10 Aug 201001:40
© 2012~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~09~RS~){kind=small}