WITH reference to your correspondent Tony Bartlett (many thanks to tea room owner, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Letters, Friday, October 15), I would like to take the opportunity to explain why the RSPCA does not deal with stray dogs.
The RSPCA cannot pick up stray dogs or accept them from people who find them. Your local council and the police are legally responsible for stray dogs and receive public funding to provide stray dog services. The RSPCA, a registered charity, does not. Stray dogs are the statutory responsibility of local authority dog wardens. Outside office hours, however, this responsibility falls to the police.
The RSPCA will intervene if a dog is sick, injured or in imminent danger, often ensuring that immediate veterinary treatment is given.
If an animal welfare charity accepts a stray dog from a member of the public, the charity must keep it for 28 days before it can be re-homed. This is a significant drain on resources and is not an effective use of charity funds. Donations from the public could be better used to care for unwanted pets, look after sick or injured wildlife and care for pets belonging to people on low incomes.
I hope this clarifies the situation.
HEATHER HOLMES, RSPCA Regional Press Officer -- North.
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