District councillor Iain Chubb and his Axminster hound, Rex, present the canine charity with £1,100

TAILS are wagging at Dogs Trust after East Devon District Council presented the charity with a cheque for £1,100.

The authority has been collecting for the charity over the past year, holding several public events.

It has run prize draws and tombolas in aid of the Trust with over 100 prizes donated by local businesses.

The council also raised money through a dog show and dog agility contest, as well as accepting voluntary donations from dog owners in return for free microchipping.

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, originally established as the National Canine Defence League in 1891.

It therefore seemed fitting that proceeds from the council’s dog-themed events – many of which focus on animal welfare and responsible dog ownership - should go to support the cause.

Last week Axminster councillor Iain Chubb, East Devon’s Cabinet Member for Environment, joined organiser Jill Wheller, from the council’s environmental health team, and dog warden Amanda Lindfield to present the cheque to the Trust. They were even joined by Cllr Chubb’s 10-year-old black Labrador, Rex.

Cllr Chubb said: “We were extremely pleased to present Dogs Trust with this donation on behalf of the council and dog lovers across East Devon. I’m sure it will be put to very good use improving welfare for dogs and helping keep them from harm.

“We’ve got a truly committed team at East Devon who made an awful lot of extra effort to raise this money. I’d like to say a big personal thank you to Jill, Amanda and their colleagues, along with everyone who donated to the cause throughout the year.”

Receiving the cheque for Dogs Trust, Claire Joselin said: “We’re touched by the hard work Jill and the East Devon team have put in to raising money for the Trust over the past year. We are very grateful to all of the East Devon residents who have helped support our work rehoming dogs and improving canine welfare. Our thanks go to everyone who made a donation and of course to the council for making the effort to collect on our behalf.”

EDDC will continue to fundraise for Dogs Trust over the next year, attending all sorts of community festivals and events to provide free microchipping and dog ownership advice.

Anyone who is interested in rehoming a dog from Dogs Trust Ilfracombe can call the team on 01271 812 709 or visit them at Hazeldene, Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 8NU www.dogstrust.org.uk