A THIRD of stray dogs in Richmondshire have no form of identification and could end up being put down, a warden says.

Don Kemp, the district council's dog warden, urged owners to have their pets microchipped after the latest stray found on the district's streets was rehomed at the last moment.

Jack Russell, and Monty, as the terrier has been named, found a new home.

Mr Kemp said Monty had been lucky, but that other strays might not be, and micro-chipping a dog could save its life and ensure that it is reunited with its owner.

He said: "Roughly 30 per cent of the dogs we find have no ID whatsoever, which means it is up to the owner to claim them.

"Without a chip, reuniting pet and owner becomes like detective work.

"One dog I found recently did have a chip, but the owners had moved to a new address and forgotten to update the database.

"Luckily, we were able to find a forwarding address for them.

"Another had a chip with an address and a phone number, but the number did not work and there was no one at home.

"A neighbour was able to tell me where the owner worked, and I tracked him down that way."

Microchips contain a unique number linked to contact details on a national database.

Animal organisations such as the RSPCA and most veterinary surgeries have details of schemes.

Mr Kemp can be contacted through the council, on 01748- 829100.

The one-year-old Jack Russell terrier's owner could not be traced because he had no tag or chip, but Mr Kemp managed to find him a new home the day before he would have been destroyed.

He said: "Whenever we pick up a dog, we scan it, and if it does not have an ID microchip, it goes to the kennels.

"If it has not been claimed after seven days, we try to rehome it through the Dogs Trust, the Jerry Green Foundation Trust or the Blue Cross."

By chance, Mr Kemp heard of someone in Colburn, near Catterick Garrison, who wanted a