ST HELENS Council's environmental health staff joined forces with Greater Manchester Police in an overnight check of animal transport vehicles. Two council officers travelled in a police vehicle between 10pm and 7am on the St Helens section of the M6 motorway. During this time, nine animal transporters were stopped.

Drivers were asked to produce their animal movement documents which give comprehensive details about the people involved in the movement of animals, the type and number of animals involved and their place of loading and final destination.

The officers also carried out visual inspections of the animal containers to see that the animals were not suffering and were properly segregated.

Of the vehicles stopped, five had the correct documentation and four did not - the latter were sent warning letters stating that any future incorrect documentation would lead to legal proceedings. However, the animal welfare was good in all vehicles.

Both GMP and the council's Environmental Health Section considered the operation a success and will carry out another inspection in the near future.

Said Councillor Richard Ward, chairman of the Housing and Environmental Services Committee: "The Environmental Health service is responding to concerns expressed by the public in recent years concerning the health and well-being of animals in transit. This joint working arrangement established with the police enables such initiatives to be carried out in an efficient and effective manner."

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