Vets asked to stop taking in stray dogs
Durham PoliceVets have been asked by a local authority to stop taking in stray dogs.
Durham County Council's neighbourhood protection manager Ian Hoult said the council had seen a rise in dogs being abandoned at vets.
He said it was not the responsibility of a vet or the council to "take in dogs that owners no longer want".
Instead he called on people to report the dogs to the council directly so that it could confirm whether the animal was "genuinely a stray" and then arrange to collect it as "quickly as possible".
Vets in the region have put out messages on social media to warn people about the council's request.
Medivet in Chester-le-Street said dog owners should use this as an opportunity to ensure the details on their pet's microchip was up to date.
Prince Bishop Vets in Consett said it would still scan a stray dog's microchip to help identify its owners but would be unable to keep the animal at the practice.
'Care for life'
In a letter to vets, the council said: "People are now using veterinary practices to deliberately abandon dogs and we need to work collectively to stop this.
"Vets are not commissioned to provide stray dog services by Durham County Council and I respectfully ask that your practices refrain from acting as a drop off point for stray dogs in the future."
Mr Hoult said vets had been advised to tell anyone reporting a stray dog to contact the council directly.
"This allows us to confirm whether the dog is genuinely a stray by requesting the legally required details," he said.
"If confirmed, we will arrange for the dog to be collected as quickly as possible."
Mr Hoult also urged people to only buy dogs this Christmas if they were "fully committed to caring for it for life".
