Cops barking mad over strays fee rise.

Byline: Paul O'Hare

A CASH-STRAPPED police force faces a whopping bill after an animal charity hiked their fees for looking after stray dogs.

Strathclyde Police take in 120 strays a month before passing them on to the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The average cost to the force in the last four years has been pounds 52,000 a year. But that is set to soar to more than pounds 260,000 next year, angering senior officers.

One said: "The SSPCA are asking for silly money but they have got us over a barrel."

A Strathclyde Police Authority report says the bill for 2010/11 could be a staggering pounds 415,860.

But the charity say they have undercharged for years. Chief executive Stuart Earley said: "The Scottish SPCA receives no government or lottery funding and we are completely reliant on the kindness of the general public who support us with generous donations.

"We are quite sure that Strathclyde Police would not expect to be subsidised by a charity."

Strathclyde Police are legally obliged to take in strays and pay for their upkeep. Last year, they dealt with more than 1434.

Every dog entering an SSPCA centre has a pounds 25 vet's examination.

But the charity's proposals would add a pounds 250 fee to that from next month, to cover charges including the cost of kennelling the dogs.

The move comes days after it emerged the force are facing a cash crisis thatcould see a budget deficit of up to pounds 35million next year.

CAPTION(S):

EXPENSIVE: Strays