POLICE Authority volunteers have jumped in the saddle of a scheme aimed at ensuring police force dogs and horses don’t get a woof ride. Greater Manchester Police Authority’s Animal Welfare Visiting Scheme was trotted out earlier this month (Dec 7).<\/p>\n
A total of six volunteers are signed up as Animal Welfare Visitors and they regularly monitor the Force’s dogs and horses when the animals are working, training and resting.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
-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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The visitors make unannounced checks of the animals at Force facilities at Hough End in Chorlton and at various training venues. <\/p>\n
They also watch the animals when they are at work during operations and they recently observed work carried out as part of Operation Admiral, which resulted in almost 600 arrests.<\/p>\n
Animal visitors comment and report on the welfare of the animals and the conditions in which they are housed, trained and transported.<\/p>\n
GMPA Chairman Cllr 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.\u201d <\/p>\n
Information recorded by visitors is reported to Greater Manchester Police Authority and shared with senior police officers at GMP’s mounted and dog units. <\/p>\n
GMPA scrutinises the police officers on a quarterly basis to ensure the findings being recorded and shared are being addressed where appropriate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
POLICE Authority volunteers have jumped in the saddle of a scheme aimed at ensuring police force dogs and horses don’t get a woof ride. Greater Manchester Police Authority’s Animal Welfare Visiting Scheme was trotted out earlier this month (Dec 7). <\/p>\n