Your view: Let's try to get lost dogs home

Jackie Baxendine of Oropi is offering a reward to help find her black labrador, Tui, who has been missing for nearly a month. Photo/Andrew Warner

Isabel Ashmore from Tauranga South wrote to the Bay of Plenty Times concerned about the number of dogs missing from their homes. She says people need dog-proof fencing and others should be more vigilant in reporting new dogs spotted running around their suburbs so they can be returned home.

What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.

There seem to be so many dogs advertised as lost or stolen.

It is heartbreaking for owners.

Surely with Facebook being so widely used, these dogs should be located quite quickly.

One really anxious owner, Jackie Baxendine of Oropi, has resorted to advertising the loss of her "shadow" Tui, a black labrador, and offering a reward.

One would think that a reward might prompt someone to come forward.

It breaks my heart when I look into the eyes of countless dogs, who gaze out in sadness and puzzlement from dog shelters.

Do New Zealand dog owners take enough precautions to keep their pets safe when mostly those dogs are left at home alone all day? Dogs get bored and seek company. So gates and fencing must be totally dog proof.

Alternatively there are very reliable doggy day-care centres, and yes, they do cost but isn't that worth it, knowing that your pet is safe and happy while you are away?

As for all the lost pets, please take more notice of stray dogs, or a suddenly "new" dog in your neighbourhood. It doesn't take much to report and try to contain a lost dog. Let us all try just a bit harder to get these dogs home.

(Abridged)

What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.