THE council has teamed up with a charity this Christmas to promote responsible pet ownership In response to the increasing reports of dog attacks on children across the county.

In collaboration with the Dogs Trust, a series of school workshops aimed at educating children on how to stay safe around dogs are being delivered by them within the borough.

And the dog warden service is committed to reducing the number of stray, neglected, and aggressive dogs in Barnsley.

The council says that children’s behaviour can directly impact their safety around dogs and that’s why it has asked the Dogs Trust to help protect local children by delivering dog safety workshops to help them behave safely around all dogs, especially ones they know and interact with at home, as this is where dog bites are most likely to occur.

Council advice is: “If you’re buying a puppy or kitten, always see the puppy or kitten with its mother and any litter in the location it was born, if possible. Never buy a puppy or kitten younger than eight weeks old.

“You must make sure your cat or dog is microchipped if your dog is over eight weeks old or your cat is over 20 weeks old or you could face fines of up to £500. If you need support with this, RSPCA Barnsley has information and support available to help you.”

Councillor Wendy Cain, Cabinet spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: "Christmas is a time of year where people may be buying a cat or dog as a present, and we want to remind residents that pets are not just for Christmas, they’re for life.

“Being a responsible pet owner isn’t just about making sure they’re fed and walked, it’s also about making sure they’re made to feel safe and protected from harm.

“We’re committed to educating families about the safety of pets, particularly around Christmas when routines change. Many children live with and love dogs, and this initiative empowers children with the knowledge and skills to have happy, safe relationships with dogs both at home and in other social settings.

“The goal is to instill responsible ownership at a young age, ultimately reducing the number of stray and unwanted cats and dogs in the future.”

You can find out more about the services the local authority provides on the council website.

If you have an urgent concern about the welfare of an animal, please contact the RSPCA directly on 0300 1234 999.