Kennel Club Dismay At Policy That Could Stop Lost Dogs Being Reunited With Poorest Owners:

"The Kennel Club has expressed its dismay at a proposal that could see more dogs being destroyed or sent to rehoming centres, if their owners can’t immediately afford the fine owed, which was discussed last night by Newcastle-Under-Lyme’s Public Protection Committee. The proposal would replace the current system, in which owners of stray dogs can defer the £70 payment owed to the local authority for handling their lost dog, after the daily kennelling costs have been paid. The new proposal would leave the most financially disadvantaged people in the community facing the prospect of their dog being sent to rehoming, or of those that can’t be rehomed being destroyed, if they cannot afford to pay the fine within seven days of the local authority taking in the dog.

The Kennel Club submitted its position to the committee, which decided to defer a decision on the proposal until another report had been submitted, exploring the options in more detail.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “We are pleased that the local authority has considered our advice but we are still extremely concerned that a policy would be considered which could see dogs sent to rescue centres or, in the most extreme cases destroyed, if the owner can’t immediately afford the fee that is owed.

“Whilst we understand that the fee needs to be paid there should be some leeway, to give those who don’t immediately have the money to hand some time to pay what is due, otherwise dog welfare is being traded in for financial expediency. It may be within the letter of the law but we certainly don’t believe this is within the spirit of it.”

Local authorities under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 have an obligation to deal with stray dogs found in the area of the authority. Legislation requires that the fees owed to a local authority are paid before the release of the dog, but currently the council will allow payment to be deferred, which can sometimes result in administrative fees if payees default."  Full Article HERE