Detroit, MI (PRWEB) May 14, 2013
According to a 2012 Rolling Stone article, Detroit is a “city of strays”. The article cites estimates of 20,000 to 50,000 stray dogs in Detroit by different rescue groups; which would mean an average of 139 to 350 strays per square mile. Detroit Dog Rescue, the focus of the Rolling Stone piece, states on their website that for the more than 50,000 strays on the streets of Detroit, there are just 23 City of Detroit Animal Control Officers who are forced to euthanize up to 90% of all the dogs they pick up due to the sheer numbers and lack of resources.
Surprisingly, there is no central organization keeping track of stray dog statistics in the United States, making it difficult to gage whether or not the estimated number of strays is feasible or not. In spite of the lack of concrete statistics, there are numerous reports and complaints by citizens about strays listed on the City of Detroit’s website.
Stray Dogs and Dog Bites: Did You Know?
In Metro Detroit, different cities offer different animal control services. People who find stray dogs should contact their city office to find out what to do. In its Fact Sheet on dog bites, the American Humane Society stresses the importance of never approaching an unknown dog. “Never approach a dog that is tied up, behind a fence, or in a car… If you find an animal, call the police or animal control for help.” According to the Fact Sheet: