DOG licensing would help lower the number of neglected pets, says the town’s animal welfare officer.

Alison Waine deals with everything from domestic animals in the town centre to livestock living on the fringes of Swindon.

Her role was recently highlighted when the Adver covered the tragic story of Star, the malnourished whippet which was found as a stray and was so badly neglected she had to be put to sleep aged 18 months.

The horrifically neglected dog was found close to death at Bergman Close in Priory Vale when rescued and deteriorated despite treatment.

Ms Waine said the case highlighted the need for a new dog licensing system to be introduced to safeguard animals and to help animal welfare officers take appropriate enforcement measures when necessary.

She said: “Calgary in Canada has an excellent licensing scheme and has been held up as a shining example.

“They have a 95 per cent compliance with owners licensing their dogs and have few stray dogs, the number of dogs in shelters is down and dog attacks are down.

“I’m a member of the National Dog Warden Association committee and we work closely with other organisations like the RSPCA and police.

“The RSPCA is suggesting running a dog licensing campaign at the moment.

“A well thought out dog licensing scheme, I believe, would be an asset to dog owners, and enforcement action could be taken against people.

“Microchipping is not compulsory and we only have a low percentage of dogs micro-chipped and some details are out of date, but it can help to trace the vet and we can check if it has medical problems.

“If a licensing scheme was compulsory micro-chipping would fall in that category for dogs.”

As an animal welfare officer, Ms Waine assists with strays at the dog pound, helping to rehome them and often has to deal with problems involving noisy animals like barking dogs or complaints about animals fouling in gardens.

“Pet shops have to be licensed and if you breed dogs and there are more than four litters a year you require a licence, “ she said.

She has come across wild and exotic animals in her day to day life, including an anaconda snake which can grow as long as 25ft to small crocodiles and spiders.

But often owners do not have the specialist knowledge required to look after the animal, are not aware of how big it can grow, or special temperatures the animals need to remain healthy.

She said that people are increasingly keeping livestock like pigs in urban environments unaware of the disease control measures and legislation following the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001.