‘Key priority’ Bandeath not at risk of being axed

A Stirling Council-run stray dog shelter will not be axed if struggling Clackmannanshire Council opts to withdraw funding from it.

The centre at Throsk – which houses stray dogs and re-homes unclaimed pets from across the Forth Valley – has been operated by Stirling Council but funded in partnership with Clacks and Falkirk Councils.

However, as part of Clacks Council’s budget setting proposals for 2019/20, council officers have tabled plans that would see the authority exit the agreement in a move that would save £14,000 as the crisis hit council attempts to plug an £11 million funding deficit.

Stirling Council’s SNP/Labour administration say the dog shelter is secure even if Wee County councillors approve the plans.

Stirling Council’s environment and housing convener Councillor Jim Thomson said: ”Bandeath is one of the administration’s key priorities.

“I’d hope that Clacks contact Stirling Council before making any decision but Bandeath is under no threat.”

A spokesman for Stirling Council says that Clacks Council would be required to give 12 months’notice prior to withdrawing, adding: “The continued operation of the dog shelter is a priority for us and we are fully committed to the service provision at Bandeath.

“The shelter is run in partnership with both Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Councils and we currently provide 50 per cent of the running costs.

“Any partner who wishes to reconsider their involvement needs to provide 12 months’notice of their withdrawal from the partnership.

“Should any partner choose to reconsider their involvement, we would hope they would discuss with us the benefits to them in retaining the service.”

In June 2016, Stirling Council was notified that Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Councils and Police Scotland were withdrawing funding for the facility.

Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Councils later gave formal notice of their intention to continue their support for Bandeath.

In January 2017, the Stirling Council reaffirmed its commitment to the shelter after Police Scotland withdrew from their arrangement with the facility.

Forth Valley Police confirmed they had changed their service provider for the temporary housing and care of dogs in the area, prompting fears over the future of the shelter.

By law, stray dogs which have been taken to the kennels may be re– claimed by their owners within seven days. After the seventh day, the dog becomes the property of Stirling Council who will attempt to find it a new home.

Capture and collection costs dog owners £25 with an additional daily fee £18 for each of the seven days that the dogs are held in the shelter, after which point they become Stirling Council property.

Dogs which have not been claimed by their owners within the seven days become available for sale to the public.