This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7329807.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Fears over stray dogs law change Fears over stray dogs law change
(about 7 hours later)
Dog charities are warning that there could soon be more strays visible on UK streets because of a change in the law. Dog charities are warning that there could soon be more strays on streets because of a change in the law.
The police currently deal with the animals at night and at weekends, but local authorities are to become responsible for them 24-hours a day.The police currently deal with the animals at night and at weekends, but local authorities are to become responsible for them 24-hours a day.
An extra £4m has been allocated to councils but some dog charities are warning that this is not enough. An extra £4m has been allocated to the councils in England and Wales, but some dog charities say this is not enough.
Clarissa Baldwin, of the Dogs Trust, says councils may only enforce the law "when it's practicable". The Dogs Trust says it fears some councils may only enforce the law "when it's practicable."
Animal concernsAnimal concerns
Councils become responsible for strays full-time from Sunday.Councils become responsible for strays full-time from Sunday.
If an animal is found after office hours then many councils will ask the public to take the stray they are reporting to a designated kennel.If an animal is found after office hours then many councils will ask the public to take the stray they are reporting to a designated kennel.
The Dogs Trust say few people will be prepared to deal with an animal that is not theirs.The Dogs Trust say few people will be prepared to deal with an animal that is not theirs.
Ms Baldwin said the change in law was a "significant change to a 100-year-old piece of legislation". Clarissa Baldwin said the change in law was a "significant change to a 100-year-old piece of legislation".
She said: "It suggests that local authorities only have to provide this 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service when it's practicable for them to do so.She said: "It suggests that local authorities only have to provide this 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service when it's practicable for them to do so.
"Our concern is that dogs will not get the sort of protection that we believe they deserve."Our concern is that dogs will not get the sort of protection that we believe they deserve.
"We have evidence to suggest that more dogs go straying at weekends and in the evenings, and if the local authorities have not provided a service for that time, what is going to happen to these dogs?""We have evidence to suggest that more dogs go straying at weekends and in the evenings, and if the local authorities have not provided a service for that time, what is going to happen to these dogs?"
Jim Aveyard, an environmental health manager for Bradford City Council, told the BBC they needed the public's help to make the system work.
He said: "We are basically relying on the members of the public who take in stray dogs to either hang on to them until the following day until a warden is available to call round and collect.
"Or alternatively, for a certain amount of time during the course of the evening if they contact our emergency number we'll give them details of what they can do with the dog to get it out of their possession."
More than 105,000 strays were collected in 2007, with almost 8,000 of those put down.More than 105,000 strays were collected in 2007, with almost 8,000 of those put down.