DOG owners who persistently allow their animals to stray will be fined £100 – but not first-time offenders, following widespread concerns.

Pet lovers had been worried after Pendle Council announced it planned to increase stray dog fees, which they said could result in animals being put down as owners struggled to get the cash.

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A petition by Pendle Dogs in Need asking for the proposals to be scrapped was handed to council leader Joe Cooney.

It was signed by more than 700 people in three days.

But following a meeting of the council’s executive board, councillors agreed to only raise the fee for kennelling dogs which are repeatedly picked up by the warden.

Coun Cooney said: “Four Conservative executive colleagues and myself met with representatives of Pendle Dogs In Need.

“This organisation does fantastic work in the borough and we had very constructive discussions about the increase in fees.

“We listened to their ideas about how we can attempt to overcome both the problems of stray dogs and the poor treatment of dogs in Pendle.

“With their input and that of other specialist stakeholders, we plan to work together to come up with optimal solutions which may now include a range of measures to deter and educate irresponsible dog owners.

“I want to make it clear that we raised the fee to £100 to deter people from allowing their dogs to repeatedly roam the streets, and not to raise income.

“I’d be happier if we never had to charge this fee because Pendle didn’t have any irresponsible dog owners who repeatedly allowed their dogs to stray.

“The fee is intended only for repeat and persistent offenders. Stray dogs and poor treatment of them remains my prime concern.”

The matter is due to go back before the council executive.

Paula Knowles, who runs Pendle Dogs in Need, said she did not believe any sort of fine would solve the problem. She suggested that ensuring all dogs had tags would be a more efficient solution.

She said: “The fines make it look like the council is acting on the issue, but it will not cure anything.

“People need to be made accountable for their own animals.”