It has been revealed that 8,500 dogs were handed in by their owners as 'unwanted' last year.

It comes as Ireland's record on pet welfare has been slammed for sending dogs abroad due to the high numbers being abandoned.

The Times of London says Ireland is exporting at least 200 abandoned dogs a month to homes in Sweden and Britain, to save them from being put down.

"Swedes taking in the unwanted Irish pets said they were shocked by poor care standards here and the lack of strict regulations on dog ownership such as those they must adhere to in their home country", it says.

Last year, 434 dogs were saved from being out down in Irish pounds by Hundar Utan Hem - a Stockholm-based charity.

Figures from the ISPCA show that in 2008, 10,094 dogs died in Irish pounds - while in 2012, 4,500 dogs died in shelters nationwide.

The ISPCA says some 30 dogs are being abandoned each day in Ireland.

Mark Beazley is executive director of Dogs Trust Ireland.

He told Newstalk Breakfast that neutering is the key.