RSPCA sends warning to dog owners ahead of July 19
The UK's leading animal welfare charity has offered a reminder that all dog owners will have to put plans in place for their pets when they return to work.
Ahead of the country’s so-called ‘Freedom Day’ on 19 July, the RSPCA has issued an urgent warning to all dog owners.
As next Monday sees the final step in the government’s roadmap to lifting lockdown commence, with the rules on the wearing of face coverings, social distancing measures, and mass gatherings all set to change, it signals a return to the workplace for many.
But after what may have been nearly 16 months at home for some, it’s not just us who will have to adapt to an altered way of life.
Pointing out that millions of people have welcomed new four-legged friends into their lives over the course of lockdown, the UK’s leading animal welfare charity has offered a reminder that all dog owners will have to put some plans in place for their pets as life returns to something resembling normality.
Most notably, the RSPCA has suggested that dog owners split their time between the office and home, take their dog to work occasionally where possible, or ask friends to help mind the dog when they are out.
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Animal welfare experts at the charity have pointed out that dogs can become extremely anxious when left alone, even for relatively short periods of time.
The RSPCA has suggested that dog owners split their time between the office and home / Credit: Unsplash (Bruno Emmanuelle)
“There are now an estimated 12 million dogs across the UK,” Dr Samantha Gaines, Pet Welfare Expert at the RSPCA, told the Liverpool Echo.
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“Sadly, research suggests that around eight in 10 dogs can struggle to cope when left alone [and given that] many families have taken on a new dog during lockdown and some of them may have never experienced being home alone, this could pose real challenges after ‘Freedom Day’ in England.”
Offering advice on how best to approach the situation, Dr Gaines added: “When we pop out to the shops or head out to work, our dogs can become very anxious or worried.
“Some dogs can struggle with nothing to do or be frightened by loud noises outside, but many dogs form close bonds with us and don’t like to be alone [and] if they haven’t learnt that being by themselves is a positive experience, then it can be very difficult.
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“It’s really important that we help them learn to cope with being left at home and gradually teach them to be alone in a positive way [and] we’re urging owners to think about this before they head back to the office and to come up with a plan to help their dogs cope with this change in routine.
“Some dogs who find being left home alone difficult may exhibit behaviours that are usually associated with stress and anxiety, like barking, toileting in the house, or being destructive.
“But others may not give any clear signals that they’re struggling and can often suffer in silence.”
Fearing that this is just the beginning of what could become “the biggest dog welfare crisis of a generation”, with behavioural problems said to be one of the key reasons why dogs are relinquished to RSPCA rescue centres, Dr Gaines is encouraging owners to be “dog kind” and “understand your pet’s needs”.
“Many dogs can find changes in our routine very unsettling, so it’s really important to introduce any changes gradually.” she continued.
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“Prepare now and help them to be happy and healthy in the long-term, [because] if not, we fear the biggest dog welfare crisis of a generation, and millions of dogs suffering everyday when their owners go out to work.”
Police appeal for information after pedestrian killed on Mancunian Way followed earlier welfare concern reports
Emily Sergeant
Police are continuing to appeal for information after a pedestrian was killed on Mancunian Way during the early hours.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the shocking incident occurred at approximately 12:50am on Friday 31 October when it was reported that a Volkswagen Passat had collided with a man in his 20s.
Sadly, the collision was fatal and the pedestrian died at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a man in his 40s, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Following the incident, subsequent police enquiries have established that a call was made to the force shortly after midnight which reported concern for a man walking on the carriageway, and GMP says it believes the man in that report was the man who was involved in the fatal collision.
Officers were sent out as ‘high priority’ to carry out an extensive search of the surrounding area after the report was made, but it was said that they couldn’t locate him.
#UPDATE | Officers are continuing to appeal for information following the fatal collision on Mancunian Way this morning.
We have referred ourselves to the IPOC after reports that the victim was possibly spotted on the carriageway earlier that morning.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) October 31, 2025
Due to this earlier report, GMP has confirmed that it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to look into its response to the search.
The victim’s family is aware, have been updated, and they are being supported by specialist officers at this time.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is still appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward, and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have CCTV footage, dashcam, or mobile phone footage from the area in the moments leading up to the incident.
“This is a tragic incident for all involved and we express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who has lost his life, and whom we are doing our utmost to support at this time,” commented Sergeant Andrew Page.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 111 of the 31/10/25, or by using the ‘report tool’ or LiveChat function on the GMP website – www.gmp.police.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Stockport paedophile who abused teen girls in early 2000s handed five extra years in prison
Emily Sergeant
A prolific paedophile who ‘groomed, exploited, and coerced’ teenage girls in the early 2000s has had his sentenced extended.
It was reported on back in June that Christopher Oates, from Stockport, was brought to justice after he subjected vulnerable girls to what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) referred to as a ‘campaign’ of violence and sexual abuse 20 years ago.
Oates was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 years old, and two counts causing / inciting a child aged 13-17 years to prostitution.
He was originally sentenced to 13 years in prison for all his crimes.
But now, following a successful appeal by GMP, working with the survivors and the Crown Prosecution Service, to take the ‘unduly lenient’ sentence to the Court of Appeal, Oates has now been handed an extra five years in prison.
Paedophile who abused teenage girls twenty years ago has sentenced extended by five years after successful appeal
We’ve worked with the survivors and the CPS to take Christopher Oates’ unduly lenient sentence to the Court of Appeal. pic.twitter.com/4yfgjpWxCN
His sentencing increase comes after the 45-year-old groomed one of the survivors from when she was just 14 years old, by providing her with a false sense of security, paying her compliments, and pretending to be her boyfriend, all before he proceeded to ply her with drugs, gifts, and affection, and using the trust and control he gained to persuade her to start sex work on the streets of Manchester.
When the teenage victim began to doubt his intentions and asked to go home, Oates dragged her down an alleyway, violently attacked her, and threatened her with a gun, stating: ‘You do as I say, you’re mine now,’ commanding her to go to her ‘spot’.
It was this incident that prompted the teenager to confide in her mother and support services, and from here, found the strength to move forward with her life, while still courageously supporting the police investigation.
From this investigation, detectives were then able to identify a second teenage victim, a 17-year-old, who Oates also coerced into sex work.
Speaking on Oates’ sentencing increase, DI Eleanor Humphreys, who was a senior investigating officer for this case, said: “We join both victims in expressing our relief and delight that the Court of Appeal has reviewed Oates’ lenient sentence and increased it by five years.
“Oates will now rightly serve consecutive sentences for both victims, meaning that his time behind bars reflects the totality of his offending against both women – whose lives he has so badly impacted.
“We will not relent in ensuring child sex offenders are brought to justice and face the full consequences for their horrific crimes.”
Emily Sergeant -
14th July 2021 
