Abused and abandoned dogs to be helped (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Boost for dogs campaign
2:00pm Monday 23rd July 2012 in News By Simon Moss
Campaigners Kath Gorick, Janet Appleby with Rex, Kim Street, Lindsey Mowbray-Williams with Otto, Sienna-Lee West, Kathy Chandler and Stephanie West with Ashton West
PLANS to help abused and abandoned dogs in Basingstoke and Deane have been given a boost.
Kath Gorick, who runs Abbey Road Grooming, in Popley, Basingstoke, brought the issue to the attention of the borough council earlier this year after watching a neighbour’s dog suffer and being unable to do anything about it.
She appealed to the council to look at handing more powers to dog wardens to allow them to enter a home when an animal is deemed to be in danger.
Along with a number of other dog lovers, Mrs Gorick staged a demonstration ahead of the council’s latest housing and environment committee meeting.
Councillors have now agreed to look at creating a greater link with the RSPCA and the police to ensure that pets do not suffer unnecessarily.
Mrs Gorick said: “I was thrilled to discover they have already started meetings, and are co-ordinating with agencies like the police, RSPCA and councils not only in Basingstoke but for the whole of Hampshire to decide a new code of conduct when handling reports from the public.”
Councillor Robert Donnell , borough Cabinet member for environment and climate change, support the campaigners.
He said: “As a dog lover, it is an important issue for me. The use of additional powers enables the council to take a more formal approach in extreme cases.
“Mrs Gorick’s questions have helped to raise awareness of the issue, and good on her for that.”
Once discussions are held with the police and RSPCA, the council’s housing and environment committee will look at the issue again.
