DURHAM City Council says more than 4,000 residents have joined its responsible dog ownership scheme to reduce the number of strays on the streets.

The council is offering £10 vouchers towards the cost of micro-chipping pets, so they can be returned to their owners if they become lost, and vouchers towards the cost of neutering a dog for owners who are on benefits.

The council keeps strays for 28 days, but if they are not claimed in that time, they are put down.

Carol Woods, cabinet member for the environment and leisure, who adopted a stray whippet found in Sherburn Village, said: "As a dog owner, responsible dog ownership is an issue close to my heart and it is an issue which the city of Durham is working hard to promote.

"The council offers a range of services for dog owners, which are often available at a subsidised rate.

"These services include micro-chipping and neutering, which can go a long way to reducing the number of strays on our streets.

"It is encouraging to see that many residents have already applied for the micro-chipping vouchers, but we would like to ask all dog owners to act responsibily and offer their pets safe and happy homes."

For more information about the responsible ownership scheme, call the council's environment hotline on 0191-301 8669.