THE dog warden team in Darlington has received an award for its work with stray animals for the fifth year in a row.

Darlington Borough Council's dog wardens have been recognised for their efforts to reunite lost dogs with their owners and to help sick and injured dogs that they pick up.

The RSPCA Gold Stray Footprint Award is part of a scheme to promote good practice in animal welfare by local authorities.

In the last year, the dog wardens have dealt with 524 dogs around Darlington, 311 of which were reunited with their owners.

Bill Dixon, leader of Darlington Borough Council and cabinet member for community safety, said: “Our hard-working dog warden team truly deserve to have won the GOLD Footprint award for the fifth year in a row.

"They have reunited and rehomed so many dogs over the years and have so much positive support from the community, especially on their Facebook page.”

More information about the dog wardens and the services they provide is also available on the Darlington Borough Council website at darlington.gov.uk/dogwarden

The dog wardens can also be found at facebook.com/darlingtondogwarden