The figures were provided in a council response to a freedom of information request, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The application also sought the number of XL Bully and other dangerous dogs the council had taken in, but there were none during the three-year period.

Herefordshire Council operates a weekday hotline to report stray dogs.

Residents have been reminded not to keep any apparent stray animals.

Those fostered are being kept at Hereford and Worcester Animal Rescue (HWAR) in Madley, near Hereford, until the owner comes forward.

Owners are then required to pay a collection and administration fee of £55 plus a kennel fee of £13.50 per day after the first 24 hours, and any veterinary treatment costs.

After seven days, the dog is made available to the public for rehoming, for which the rescue center is asking for a donation of £200.

HWAR was asked about the possible causes of the increasing number of stray dogs.

However, a representative couldn’t respond because they said, “Our phone is ringing constantly, (we have) dogs coming out of our ears to sort, in addition to taking care of all of our current dogs.”