Battle for Bandeath gains more recruits as closure date looms

At the moment the Throsk shelter takes care of stray dogs from the Falkirk area but notice of withdrawal of funding from Clackmannashire Council and Police Scotland means the facility could close by the end of the year.

Now an action committee has been set up to campaign to save the shelter and Buddies of Bandeath, as it is known, is looking to register as a charitable organisation so it can attract vital funds to help the shelter.

Local people have also started online petitions to back the facility and the groups who benefit from volunteering or visiting the shelter, including autistic pupils from St Modan’s High School in Stirling, have voiced their support.

Fiona Bairner, principal teacher of autism provision at the school, said: “Our students gain a great deal from working with the dogs and are genuinely distressed at the prospect of homeless dogs no longer having a refuge.”

A public meeting about the future of the shelter was scheduled to take place yesterday (Wednesday) evening at Bannockburn Miners Welfare, where the newly formed committee was going to outline their plans for interested parties.