PET owners in the Eastern region are more likely to abandon Staffordshire Bull Terriors than another other breed of dog, new figures have revealed.The RSPCA said yesterday the fault lay with the dogs' owners who did not care for them properly.

PET owners in the Eastern region are more likely to abandon Staffordshire Bull Terriors than another other breed of dog, new figures have revealed.

The RSPCA said yesterday the fault lay with the dogs' owners who did not care for them properly.

The charity's spokeswoman Kelly Rivers said the animals should be neutered and properly socialised with 'no excuses'.

'Staffies and other bull dogs and terriers are wonderful dogs. The problems are not usually with them but at the other end of the lead, with owners who buy them for the wrong reasons,' she said.

'All too often they are also used as money making machines and have several litters of puppies each year which are sold on to equally unscrupulous owners.

'We want to see bull breeds who are properly trained, socialised and cared for.

'This duty of care includes neutering and microchipping your dog - no excuses.'

So far this year 12 of the 94 abandoned dogs collected by the RSPCA in the East region are Staffies or Staffie crosses.

In 2008, 90 of the 354 abandoned dogs rescued were Staffies or Staffie types, and in 2007, 97 of the 406 were Staffies or crossbreeds.

The RSPCA has launched a national Neutering Campaign for Bull Breeds encouraging owners to have their dogs neutered and is offering discounts for bull dogs and terriers.

Suffolk East and Ipswich Branch RSPCA is offering owners the chance to have their dogs neutered for �30 and bitches for �50.

The offer is for a limited period and owners should contact RSPCA Martlesham on 01473 623280 9am - 4pm or RSPCA Clinic 01473 231972 between 11.30am - 1.30pm on Tuesday or Friday for more details.