THE National Canine Defence League has presented Paul Robertson, of Middlesbrough Council, with the Phyllis Mayer Argus medal, which has only been presented 11 times in the league's history.

It was thanks to Mr Robertson, 40, a principal environmental health officer, that the Teesside authority pioneered embedding identification microchips.

That, and his idea of placing photographs and descriptions of lost dogs on the Internet and display boards in the town, has led to a dramatic reduction in the number of stray dogs either wandering the streets or being destroyed because they have gone unclaimed by their owners.

The two-pronged attack on the problem has led to the number of strays falling by half, a 33 per cent drop in complaints about strays and a 25 per cent reduction in complaints about dog fouling.

The campaign has also led to a 43 per cent reduction in the number of animals being destroyed.

No dogs were put to sleep in Middlesbrough last month.

Mr Robertson said: "I am absolutely delighted. I was absolutely taken aback.''

He said: "If you look at the question of strays, a lot are 'latch-key' dogs in the town. A lot of people who don't understand their responsibilities let them out to roam, thinking they will come home when they are hungry.

"But just as a dog cannot pick up its own waste, it can't tell you where it lives - hence the microchipping. A dog can slip its lead if something frightens it.''

The council used to run a dog warden service that met legal responsibilities and no more.

In the first year of its new approach, there were 20 per cent fewer complaints about stray dogs and an 18 per cent reduction in complaints about fouling. To date, 4,350 dogs have been micro- chipped and 1,200 have been neutered.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: "This award reflects great credit on Paul and the service. The whole service has made tremendous strides and is now a true example of an efficient and caring service.''