The figures equate to 11 dogs being put down every day in NI

The Dogs Trust says nearly 4,000 strays were put down by local authorities in the province last year - more than a third of the total UK figure.

This was a 15% increase compared to a general decrease across all regions, with 456 dogs being put down in Wales and the west, 827 in Scotland and 143 in London.

Councils in Northern Ireland collected 10,783 stray dogs last year, according to the study carried out by NOP World for the charity.

Although many were claimed by their owners or rehoused, 3,982 had to be destroyed.

The figures - which equate to 11 dogs being put down every day in the province - compare with just under 10,000 across the whole UK.

The sheer cost in financial and welfare terms of dealing with 11,000 stray and abandoned dogs is astronomical Stephen Philpott USPCA

The charity's Northern Ireland campaigns manager, Ronnie Milsop, said the problem was solvable.

"I think we have to change our attitude - we have to neuter more dogs, and when people first get a dog, the first thing to do is have it neutered and get it microchipped," he said.

"We offer a microchipping service from our large vehicle which travels across Northern Ireland."

USPCA chief executive Stephen Philpott said current legislation handed responsibility to local councils without taking account of animal welfare.

"The sheer cost in financial and welfare terms of dealing with 11,000 stray and abandoned dogs is astronomical," he said.

"Ratepayers are paying through the nose for the negligence of irresponsible pet owners and thousands of these unfortunate abandoned animals are being culled each year.

"We urgently need legislation that requires dog owners to take full responsibility for their pets."

Mr Philpott suggested a licensing scheme whereby dog owners whose animal has been neutered or spayed would be charged a minimal fee.

He said this would mean "dogs remaining capable of breeding would attract a higher annual license fee that encourages owners to consider the spaying or neutering option".