‘Damien’ Proves a Handful for Council’s Animal Warden

EAST Reading residents are being thanked after helping to rescue an stray dog which is now being rehomed.

Several concerned residents called the Council’s animal warden last week after spotting the distressed black Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross living in thick brambles and vegetation behind fencing on University of Reading land, next to Cintra Park. On Thursday (July 18) animal warden, Lisa Clements, and Council parks officer, Julian Allum, located the excitable dog and attempted to help him find a way out, but without success. The warden then patiently sat with the hungry and thirsty animal for a number of hours, gaining his trust by passing him food and water through the fence. Late on Thursday afternoon, with help from two other council officers, the warden eventually managed to coax the dog out through a narrow gap in the fencing. The happy hound was taken to kennels and assessed. Because he was not micro chipped he will now be rehomed.

Lisa Clements, Reading Borough Council’s Animal Warden, said:

“It was certainly a very long day trying to release him! We nicknamed him Damien because he was such a devil to get out from behind the fencing. We managed it in the end and I’d like to thank the residents who contacted me to report it in the first place – hopefully we can now help find Damien a happy home.”

Councillor Sophia James, Reading’s Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, said:

“Thank you to Lisa for all her efforts to rescue young Damien, and to the residents who took the time to call it in. It’s a good example of all the unseen work which goes on behind the scenes at the Council. Rescuing abandoned or stray dogs is just one of many hundreds of valued services!” If you spot what you believe is a stray dog you can contact the Council’s animal warden on 01189373787 between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. If a dog is found outside of these hours, where possible people should check for a tag which may offer owner details or take a stray to the vet to see if it is microchipped and can be reunited with its owner quickly. Any injured animal should be reported to the RSPCA.