Kind hearted West Dunbartonshire Council Dog Warden Rona Jack, mother of 2 took time out from her busy schedule to pop into SPCA and meet Councillors William Hendrie and Jim McElhill to show some of the rescues dogs that have been recently picked up in West Dunbartonshire and to discuss the new charges that dog owners will be charged for letting their dogs astray!
Animal lover, Rona who has been West Dunbartonshire’s Council Dog Warden since 1990, has seven dogs of her own as well as multiple other animals including cross Kune Kune and Vietnamese Pot Bellied pigs, 5 horses, and multiple Chipmunks and Chinchillas.
Rona said, “This young puppy is only 5 weeks old and it would break your heart to see some of the strays brought in. It’s kind of how I have ended up with 7 dogs.”
Councillors McElhill and Hendrie were clearly moved by the vulnerability of the young pup being looked after by SPCA Assistant Manager, Nicola Greer who said, “West Dunbartonshire Council can bring in up to 150 dogs per year!”
West Dunbartonshire Council has a statutory duty in terms of Section 149 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for the control of stray dogs. The Environmental Health Section provides a dog control service in fulfillment of this duty and utilises the Scottish SPCA facility at Milton to board stray dogs seized by them.
Councillor William Hendrie and Jim McElhill explained that, “The authority has worked in conjunction with the Scottish SPCA since 1996. Following a review and discussions between other local authorities including Glasgow City Council, East Dunbartonshire Council, Renfrewshire Council, North Lanarkshire Council, East Renfrewshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Strathclyde Police a new agreement has been reached in terms of the contract between each local authority and the Scottish SPCA.”
The Environmental Health section will attempt to identify the dogs owner through reading the stray dogs microchip/collar and will return the stray to their owner also issuing a £25 fine in terms of the Environmental Protection (Stray Dogs) Regulations 1992 for allowing their dog to stray. In addition with the fine the notice will advise of the consequences of the recurrence of allowing their dog to stray.
Where officers from Environmental Health cannot identify the owner of the dog or where the dog has strayed previously the dog will be transferred to Milton Animal Home. The following costs will be attributed to the owner:
On delivery to the SSPCA operated Milton Animal Home each dog is checked by a Veterinary Surgeon at a cost of £25.00, an additional £25.00 fee for the statutory fine for allowing your dog to stray and £13.50 kenneling fee per day.
NEW COSTS
Day 1 - £63.50
Day 2 - £77.00
Day 3 - £90.50
Day 4 - £104.00
Day 5 - £117.50
Day 6 - £131.00
Day 7 - £144.50
Day 8 - £158.00
Councillors Hendrie and McElhill were keen to stress, “The main message from the Environmental Health Section is to encourage responsible dog ownership to ensure that dogs are not allowed to stray otherwise their owners could be subject to a fine and the possibility of having to pay up to £158 in kenneling costs for the return of their dog.”
“If you are considering getting a dog, you really have to consider the commitment and responsibility involved.”
The contact number for Environmental Health is 01389 738627/8212 The contact number for SSPCA operated Milton Animal home is 03000 999 999.
