A COUNCIL has agreed to pay damages to a dog-owner whose pet was trapped in a barbed wire fence.

The dog had to be freed by the fire brigade after it became trapped in barbed wire next to the Cemetery Lane allotments, in Barnard Castle.

Its owner submitted a compensation claim to Barnard Castle Town Council for £120.07 to cover the vet's bill.

Councillor Tony Cooke questioned whether it was the owner's responsibility, if her dog was off the lead, to make sure it was under control. However, Councillor Eric Fell said there was a minimum height for barbed wire and this was below that.

He said: "The barbed wire was there for donkey's years. It shouldn't have been there and we have to accept that it's our responsibility."

The allotments working party will check all sites for barbed wire fences.