THEY are top dogs when it comes to picking up homeless hounds.

Tails are wagging at Fareham Borough Council after its stray dog service was handed a special gold award.

In the year 2009 to 2010, staff seized 176 dogs, returning 159 to their owners and re-homing 15.

Now their work has been honoured with an RSPCA Community Animal Welfare Footprints award, having convinced judges they were going above and beyond their basic service requirements.

Fareham Borough Council’s executive member for public protection Arthur Mandry said: “Key to accomplishing the gold standard is the council’s out of hours stray dog service, which operates to collect stray dogs found within the borough and reunite them with their owners or provide safe accommodation though our partner kennels until the owners come forward.

“The award is testament to Fareham Borough Council's commitment to animal welfare and ensuring new homes are sought for stray dogs collected whose owners do not come forward.”