There is one stray for every 151 people in the province, compared to one for every 1,400 in London.

Overall, the number of strays wandering UK streets has risen for the first time in six years and now stands at more than 117,500.

The number of strays has increased by 3% on the previous year's figure of 113,746.

Stray dogs

UK stray dog population increased to 117,564 Previous year's figure was 113,746 Number of strays being put to sleep dropped from 14,787 to 12,932 16% were rehomed by the councils themselves 46% were reunited with their owners 23% were passed onto welfare organisations There is one stray dog for every 506 people in UK There is one stray for every 151 people in Northern Ireland

However, the number of dogs being put down dropped by 13% from about 14,780 to about 12,900.

The National Canine Defence League (NCDL) attributed the drop to a greater commitment by councils to find new homes for strays.

Ronnie Milsop, who works for the NCDL in Northern Ireland, said the problem of strays was still not dealt with properly in the province.

"Nearly 5,000 dogs are put down here but with our campaign of microchipping, working with councils and neutering, we have seen a reduction of 20%.

"Even though we are still high, there is a reduction and we welcome that," he said.

"Dogs are being returned to their owners through the microchipping and people can get that done free."

Sandra McKibben, who is a dog warden for Banbridge District Council in County Down, said dogs that have not been neutered are more inclined to stray and cause problems.

"They tend to run about and breed and then the puppies come and nobody wants them."

The survey was commissioned by the defence league and the National Dog Wardens Association (NDWA). It was conducted by MORI.