Council takes on dog role

From the archive, first published Wednesday 18th Apr 2007.

Craven District Council has decided to take care of its own dog control service.

For the past 15 years, Animal Wardens Ltd has been responsible for the district's dog dirt patrols, distribution of bags, issuing of fixed penalty notices and stray dogs.

The Council's head of environmental health and housing Lindsey Quinn explained said a review of the service had been carried out after her department took on the responsibility.

She said this had flagged up a number of problems such as the effectiveness of the lone dog warden, communication between the company and the Council and the recovery of charges for stray dogs.

Duncan Grime, of Animal Wardens, said he felt the company had always given a good service.

Mrs Quinn said there had been some improvements recently but she still felt there were many advantages to the council bringing the service in-house.

She said under the Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 the role of the dog warden could be expanded to include litter patrol.

Community services councillors decided to follow her recommendations and bring the service in-house.