STOCKTON-ON-TEES Borough Council has been commended for its work with stray dogs within the area.
The Council’s Animal Welfare team has won the Gold Award in the stray dog section of the Community Animal Welfare Footprints 2015, a scheme run by the RSPCA.
The award celebrates excellent handling and care of stray dogs alongside more long term issues including neutering, micro-chipping and rehoming – which is done in partnership with the Dogs Trust and Stockton Security Centre.
This is the sixth time that the Council has achieved the gold award since 2009.
Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: “Our animal welfare team do such valuable work in taking responsibility to protect stray dogs in the Borough.
“This award recognises the hard work and dedication of the service to ensure the health and wellbeing of these vulnerable animals.”
From 6 April 2016, it will be a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped and the details on the chip to be valid and up to date. Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council offers free microchipping surgery for dogs and appointments can be booked by calling 01642 526575.
Anyone wishing to contact the Animal Welfare Team can do so by calling 01642 526575 or emailing animal.welfare@stockton.gov.uk