A CAMPAIGN to save York's dog wardens has been launched by the city's Liberal Democrats following proposals to cut the service by £21,000.

Budget plans would leave City of York Council's animal health service reduced by one full-time officer. It currently has three and a part-time worker.

The cut would come as the service reports dealing with 1,459 animal-related complaints this year - a rise of 22 per cent.

Andrew Waller, Liberal Democrat spokesman for the environment, said: "Liberal Democrats believe that the proposed staffing cuts in this department are ill-conceived and will reduce the ability of the council to fulfil both its statutory animal health function, and also the public service function of dealing with stray and dangerous dogs."

The cut is one in a list of proposals aimed at making up a £4.7 million budget shortfall.

Derek Smallwood, the council's environment spokesman, said: "At this stage, this is a proposal, it is one of a number of options that we are looking at while we are looking at the budget."

Updated: 11:10 Tuesday, February 05, 2002