NEW figures on stray dogs have yet again shamed the North-East, already known as the capital for animal cruelty.

Nearly 9,000 strays were collected by the region's councils last year with more than 1,000 of them destroyed because their owners could not be traced and homes could not be found for them.

The figures represents a 28 per cent increase on the number of dogs collected the year before and a three per cent increase in the number of dogs destroyed.

Dogs Trust chief executive Clarissa Baldwin said: "This is extremely disappointing and in stark contrast to the rest of the UK.

"These figures are disturbing because of the sheer numbers of stray dogs being needlessly killed each year.

"Every dog should be a wanted dog and Dogs Trust will continue to fight for an end to this unnecessary destruction."

She urged owners to neuter and microchip their pets to make it easier to trace them if they got lost.