Manchester City Council has set up a joint-task force with the city’s fire-hit Dog’s Home to ensure the centre is back up-and-running as quickly as possible.
The team, made up of technical officers and charity trustees, has been created to help plan the redevelopment of the kennels following last week’s devastating blaze that left 60 animals dead and destroyed large sections of the premises.
Council officers lent their support to the centre in the hours after the arson attack and provided storage facilities for tonnes of supplies which were donated by well-wishers from across the city.
Councillor Bernard Priest, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Generations of Mancunians have taken in rescue dogs from the home which have gone on to become beloved family pets and, like us, many residents were devastated when they heard about the blaze.
“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.”
Greater Manchester Fire crews were called to the dogs’ home on Moss Bank Road in Harpurhey around 7.20pm on Thursday September 11, following reports of a fire.
More than 30 firefighters and some members of the public battled the blaze to save animals trapped inside the burning building and around 150 dogs were rescued.
Following the tragic events, 142,730 people flocked to a JustGiving page and donated cash – raising more than £1million in just 24 hours and earning almost £1.5million in total.
But photographs released earlier this week showed the severe scale of the damage at the centre and suggest there is a long road ahead.
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.”
Image courtesy of SWSNTV via YouTube with thanks
