Police authority loves its animals

Animal welfare volunteers with GMP staff and RSPCA Chief Inspector Cathy Hyde (kneeling, left).

Police Authority volunteers are ensuring police force dogs and horses are being well looked after.

Greater Manchester Police Authority’s Animal Welfare Visiting Scheme began earlier this month.

A total of six volunteers are signed up as Animal Welfare Visitors and they monitor the Force’s dogs and horses when the animals are working, training and resting.

A GMPA volunteer said: “GMP’s horses and dogs are extremely well cared for and it’s important that people realise this scheme isn’t a result of any issues or concerns in that respect.

“It’s all about maintaining the extremely high standards of care which are in place and introducing a process which reassures local people that the welfare of GMP’s animals is safeguarded.”

The visitors make unannounced checks of the animals watch them when they are at work during operations. They recently observed work carried out as part of Operation Admiral, which resulted in almost 600 arrests across Greater Manchester.

Animal visitors comment and report on the welfare of the animals and the conditions in which they are housed, trained and transported.

GMPA Chairman Councillor Paul Murphy said: “GMPA has a legal duty to make sure GMP is delivering a good service. I hope this scheme shows we are committed to fulfilling this duty in every aspect of police service delivery.”

Information recorded by visitors is reported to Greater Manchester Police Authority and shared with senior police officers at GMP’s mounted and dog units.

GMPA scrutinises the police officers on a quarterly basis to ensure the findings being recorded and shared are being addressed where appropriate.