Council sets up Manchester Dogs’ Home task force

Since the Harpurhey dog centre fire on 11^th September 2014, which left 60 animals dead and large sections of the premises destroyed, Manchester City Council has set up a joint task force to ensure that the Manchester Dogs’ Home is back up and running as soon as possible.

The joint task force, including technical officers from the city council and charity trustees, has been organised to plan the redevelopment of the kennels which have been a cherished part of the Manchester Community for over 115 years.

Manchester City Council has played a key role in aiding the Dogs’ Home including organising a clean-up operation. Not only has the Council provided immense support since the blaze, members of the public have also shown interest, donating tonnes of supplies currently being held in city council storage facilities.

Further, generous celebrity donators including Simon Cowell, Ricky Gervais, and Piers Morgan have also pledged to the cause, with so far over £1.4 million having been raised.

One week after the blaze, the Dogs’ Home released a statement, thanking the public and saying that they hope “that the re-build of the site will enable us to incorporate the very latest developments in canine welfare to make Manchester Dogs’ Home even better than before.”

City council members also added to the statement. Councillor Pat Karney, leading the City Council’s support for the dogs’ home, said: “We’re here for the duration, and we’ll be working closely alongside the charity while the new centre is being rebuilt.”

Councillor Bernard Priest, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “In this emergency situation we’re offering support and assistance to help in any way we can, and this includes setting up a task force to make sure the home is back up and running as quickly as possible.”

Meanwhile the dog home heroes Jason Dyer and Dean Rostock, who entered the building whilst it was still ablaze to save trapped dogs have been nominated for a prestigious Animal Hero Award which recognises the most inspiring examples of bravery, dedication and resilience in the animal world.