Council aims to get its paws on gold

Oldham Council is going for gold again in the annual RSPCA Footprint Awards.

Last year the authority took two top awards, for welfare and education by its dog warden service, and a top honour in contingency planning for dealing with companion animals.

The council is now hoping to add an award for promoting animal welfare, and work done to educate people on seasonal matters such as dogs in hot cars or an animal-friendly fireworks code.

Councillor Howard Sykes, leader of Oldham Council, said: “We are committed to improving the welfare of animals.

“Among the moves we have already introduced is the banning in schools of eggs from battery hens.

“Citizens are increasingly concerned about the welfare of animals and it is important as a local authority that we mirror those concerns.”

The council’s latest application centres around work carried out by the animal health and welfare team with pet shops in the borough to highlight the issue of selling animals to young people, and plans for a proof-of-age scheme for retailers.

The team is also committed to leafleting funfairs where fish are given away as prizes.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is still legal to give out a pet as a prize but not to somebody under 16 without an adult present.