By  Neil Burton (not to be copied, reproduced or reprinted without author’s permission)

Mr Robert Killick, author and Our Dogs columnist wrote in his column that appeared In the 27th July 2007 issue about one dog owner being charged £90 before the dog was returned, or as Mr Killick actually wrote ‘Ninety quid to get your dog back after it’s been nicked by a dog catcher’

The use of the word ‘dog catcher’ to describe local government dog wardens or dog control officers is a term used by people either through ignorance of the modern role of a dog control officer or as the highest form of insult towards a professional dog handler.

Mr Killick like all people is perfectly entitled to his opinions and views but what I found disheartening especially from a columnist of Mr Killick’s reputation was the final paragraph in his article regarding what happens to dogs that are not claimed.

To write ‘ I suppose a vet or a catcher would kill them, the fact they are living creatures would not worry them’ shows that Mr Killick should have researched the work of Dog Warden Services to gain some knowledge of the work carried out?

My council operates a non-destruction policy that is written in to the operating procedures of the service, although contrary to what some animal charities tell the public, it is difficult to attain a 100% target.  Last financial year out of 345 dogs seized as stray dogs under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, 3 stray dogs had to be euthanized by my council.  Of these two were suffering as a result of serious injuries sustained in road accidents and the third was too aggressive to be rehomed.  Decisions about such a course of action are based on the recommendations of Veterinary Surgeons in regard to the welfare of an animal and the risk to potential new owners.

As a slight aside, although I may be a mere dog warden, my service has dealt with pigs, ponies, cats, snakes, birds, rabbits and fish in the course of a working day.  Far from not worrying about what happens to dogs as well as other animals, my service actually ‘worries’ that we are able to help other animal owners and welfare groups as part of our daily duties when the need arises either by becoming involved ourselves or we call a person who can help.

Dog Wardens are multi-skilled local government officers who are far removed from Mr Killick’s vision of ‘dog catchers’, also they do not ‘nick’ stray dogs, surely ‘nicking’ stray dogs is theft? Far from ‘nicking’ dogs they lawfully seize them in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

In an ideal world there would be no stray or abandoned dogs, everyone would act responsibly and there would also be no dog fouling in parks and pavements and sports pitches or dogs attacking people and other animals.  Until that time comes, there will be a need for dog wardens however much some ill informed members of the dog press seem to despise them

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