This article uses data from several sources to outline dog welfare and to identify areas in which it could be improved. The data include 253 dog licence records, 11 observations from free-roaming dogs, and two convenience samples (of411 people in total). Dog age is used as the indicator of welfare. The current care given results in low average dog ages (three years). The actions ofowners allow many animals to roam and so mate unchecked, and this exacerbates the nuisance offree-roaming dogs and

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... iminishes the welfare ofsociety. Three areas are identified which would enhance the welfare ofdogs and society: keeping dogs inside the house, not in the yard; sterilizing dogs; and taking dogs to the veterinarian at least "when necessary':