Exclusive analysis of data from the Environment Department reveals that 40,529 abandoned dogs were destroyed in Ireland between 2008 and 2014 - with 3,141 put to sleep last year alone.

The Irish Mirror reveals today that some 16 dogs are being destroyed by dog pounds around the country EVERY day.

Exclusive analysis of data from the Environment Department reveals that 40,529 abandoned dogs were destroyed in Ireland between 2008 and 2014 - with 3,141 put to sleep last year alone.

Our analysis also shows that close to three dogs are abandoned by their owners every hour.

A shocking 151,245 dogs have been dumped in dog pounds and rescue centres or found wandering the streets after being abandoned by their owners.

And 2,795 dog owners have been prosecuted or convicted for cruelty, neglect and other breaches of the Control of Dogs Acts since 2008.

Data analysis reveals that Clare is the dog destroying capital of Ireland, with more canines put down than any other part of the country.

Dogs are abandoned in Leitrim at a higher rate than any other Irish county, while Louth has the highest number of prosecutions and convictions for cruelty and neglect by dog owners.

Dog’s Trust spokeswoman Kathrina Bentley said the shocking figures marked the end of a “black week” for animal welfare.

The death of Cecil the lion last week sparked a worldwide manhunt for his killer Walter Palmer.

Last week also saw 44-year-old Liam Dowling escape jail time after being convicted of violently killing his pet Jack Russell in Dublin’s Clonliffe College Park.

The father-of-one was seen swinging the dog over his head and smashing it repeatedly into the ground.

The Dublin man, who claimed he could not afford vet bills for the sick dog, received just 200 hours of community service.

Ms Bentley told the Irish Mirror: “We were horrified that a custodial sentence was not handed down to this man, who essentially beat to death a dog that had been part of his family for eight or nine years.

“For him to get 200 hours of community service sends out the wrong message about how dogs should be treated – especially to children.”

She added: “We are calling for harsher penalties for people convicted of animal cruelty.”

A total of 4,700 dogs were destroyed in Clare between 2008 and 2014 - more than any other county.

The Banner county also has the highest rate of canine destruction at 40 dogs per 1,000 population.

Longford is next with 1,336 dogs destroyed between 2008 and 2014 at a rate of 39 per 1,000.

Wexford has the third worst record with 23 dogs put down per 1,000 population.

While 2,956 dogs were put to sleep in Dublin over the seven year period, the capital has one of the lowest rates of dog destruction with just two per 1,000 capita.

Leitrim has the lowest overall rate with just 44 dogs destroyed seven years - one per 1,000 people.

Leitrim has the highest rate of abandoned dogs with rescue centres taking in 3,743 canines in seven years - 118 per 1,000 population.

Monaghan is next with 3,743 - 110 abandoned canines per 1,000 capita, followed by Longford with 6,663 discarded dogs or 101 per 1,000 capita.

At the other end of the scale, Mayo has the lowest dog abandonment rate of seven per 1,000, followed by Kildare and Wicklow at 12 per 1,000 each.

Meanwhile, Louth has the nation’s highest number and rate of prosecutions and convictions for mistreating dogs with 945 or 769 per 100,000.

Kerry is next with 177 prosecutions and convictions per capita or 257 in total.

Cavan follows with 111 offences per capita.

Dublin has the second highest number of offences with 865 since 2008.

However the capital comes ninth on the list per capita with 68 prosecutions and convictions per 100,000.

Originally published in the Irish Mirror.