RESIDENTS across Dumbarton and the Vale are being encouraged to ensure their pet's micro-chip details are up to date as figures reveal twelve stray dogs every day are facing destruction.

Dogs Trust revealed that over 37,000 lost and abandoned dogs remained unclaimed in local authority kennels last year, 12% of which are believed to be beloved pets.

The organisation, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, said that thousands of these dogs face the very real prospect of destruction, all because owner's have forgotten to update their micro-chip details.

The details come after the charity conducted its annual Stray Dog Survey which actually showed a 21% decline in the number of stray dogs handled by local authorities between April 1 2015 – March 31 2016.

The fact that many of these could easily be recovered by unknowing families will shock many pet owners though.

Dogs Trust Chief Executive, Adrian Burder said: “To discover that the number of stray dogs in the UK is down from last year is promising, but with over 37,000 dogs remaining unclaimed in Council pounds last year, it’s clear we still have work to do.

“Stray dogs that find themselves at Dogs Trust are the lucky ones, as we will never put a healthy dog to sleep, but not all of the unclaimed dogs are so fortunate.

“What’s most saddening from this year’s figures is the 4,732 dogs who face destruction due to a lack of an up- to-date microchip.”

Compulsory micro-chipping came into force throughout the UK on April 6 this year, with penalties dished out for any pet owner who doesn't comply.

It is hoped this new law will see a drastic decrease in the number of stray pet dogs put down across the country.