North West Leicestershire District Council has received a platinum award in the RSPCA PawPrints awards - for its work with stray dogs.

The council received the recognition having secured a Gold award every year at the RSPCA's awards since 2012.

Dogs found wandering the district without an owner can be reported to the council for collecting, between 50 and 70 stray dogs are picked up each year in the district.

Stray dogs are kept in kennels for seven days before being made available for rehoming.

The council also works with Leicestershire-based Animal Care Services to collect dogs outside of office hours.

As well as collecting stray dogs, the council also offers a microchipping service, supporting owners to be quickly reunited with any wandering pets.

The at-home service costs just £16.50, offers peace of mind and ensures dog owners are keeping within the law. Since 2016 it has been a legal requirement for dogs to be microchipped, and for them to be kept up to date.

The PawPrints awards is the only scheme in the country that recognises local authorities and public bodies for going above and beyond for animal welfare. The year, 73 organisations in England and Wales received an award.

Cllr Michael Wyatt:

Coalville councillor Michael Wyatt, NWLDC portfolio holder for community services, said: "This is fantastic recognition for the hard work our team does to reunite stray dogs with their owners.

"Pets are important members of the family, and it is distressing if they wander, so we work hard to ensure animals are well looked-after and reunited with owners as soon as possible if found straying.

"We have a common goal, to encourage all dog owners to be responsible about looking after their pets, and to make sure animals and people are not put at risk. I would urge all dog owners to make sure their pet is microchipped, not only because the law tells you to, but because it will help reunite you with your dog."

Lee Gingell, the RSPCA's public affairs manager for local government, said: "Despite the challenging situation for all local authorities and public bodies across the country, we're thrilled to see North West Leicestershire District Council pick up the RSPCA's Stray Dog Services (Platinum) PawPrints Award. Platinum PawPrints have been awarded to organisations that have achieved gold-level for five or more years consecutively, which demonstrates North West Leicestershire District Council's unwavering commitment to animal welfare.   

"PawPrints is all about shouting from the rooftops; recognising individuals and teams and celebrating and promoting best practice. We're delighted to showcase North West Leicestershire District Council and their work to protect and promote animal welfare; going above and beyond for animals and looking way past statutory minimums because it's the right thing to do - for humans and animals."