Animal welfare officers in Northumberland have been awarded a prestigious accolade from the RSPCA for their work with stray dogs.

Northumberland County Council’s Animal Welfare Team has received a Platinum PawPrints Award from the national animal charity.

They have been recognised for their exceptional dedication to animal welfare, their commitment to the effective care of stray dogs and the promotion of responsible ownership within the community.

The local authority’s animal welfare team work tirelessly to reunite stray dogs with their owners and in 2025/26 dealt with 320 reports of stray dogs, either returning the dogs to their owners or taking them to a place of safety.

placeholder image — Coun Gordon Stewart.

Where a case of animal neglect or cruelty is evident, they work hard to prosecute the owners through the courts.

The officers also run a popular Green Dog Walkers Scheme that encourages responsible dog ownership.

Coun Gordon Stewart, cabinet member with responsibility for public safety, said: “The dedicated team is deeply committed to animal welfare and work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of pets and stray animals in the county.

“I am delighted that the RSPCA has once again recognised their commitment to animal welfare at a national level.

“It is really important that owners continue to play their part and take the necessary steps to prevent stray dogs before accidents happen.

“I urge that all dog owners to ensure their pets are wearing ID tags, that they are microchipped and that their details are kept up to date on the microchip database – and remember microchipping is now law for cats too.”

Residents can report animal welfare issues directly to the team at https://nland.uk/welfare