Dog owner’s anger at council charge

A pet’s escape has cost its Failsworth owner £130 in kennel costs and charges.

Natalie O’Neil (29) was given a bill after her dog was found and taken to Manchester Dogs Home by a local resident.

Though she was happy to pay the home’s kennel costs, Natalie reeled at a bill from Oldham Council to cover a “handling fee” for Staffordshire bull terrier Cane — since council dog wardens weren’t involved.

Natalie, of Brooks Drive, said: “I spent the entire afternoon looking for him and consoling my children, who thought he’d gone forever.

“I called Manchester Dogs Home and he had been dropped off. When I got there the receptionist told me he’d been brought in by a neighbour.

“The home wanted to charge me £85, but we didn’t have that amount there and then. They said I could defer it but I would be billed by the council instead, who would charge £129.

“When I got home I checked the council website which said it should be a fixed price of £25. But when I called them to make sure they said it would be £129, because of the service they had provided.

“But at no point was a dog warden used, so I don’t know what service they are referring to.”

Oldham Council said that regardless of dog warden attendance, the local authority incurs costs for administration and kennelling.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, cabinet member for environment and housing, said: “The charges incurred are a combination of kennelling costs set by Manchester Dogs Home, and a fixed handling fee, which is set by central government. We neither set nor gain from these charges.

“We’re the only council regionally who try to assist debtors in this situation by arranging with the dogs home for the payment to be spread over a longer period.”