RSPCA appeals for information after dog in Merseyside appears to be kicked in mouth

THE RSPCA would like to speak to a man who may have important information about a dog who was allegedly seen being kicked, in St Helens.

The animal welfare charity has been given CCTV of the incident which appears to show a Labrador or Golden Retriever type dog, who was tied up outside shops in Seddon Street, allegedly being kicked in the mouth.

Images of a man, who the RSPCA believes could help support their ongoing enquiries, have now been released by the animal welfare charity.

Footage taken at about:- 5.50pm. on:- Thursday, 14 August 2025, appears to show a man kick the dog in the mouth, causing the animal to move backwards. An individual is also seen dragging the dog off concrete steps by its lead and speaking in an aggressive manner.

Animal Rescue Officer Ben Marshall, who is investigating said:- "We'd like to speak to the man seen in this footage as we believe he may hold vital information. We're very keen to find out more about this incident and check on the welfare of the dog involved. We hope this individual comes forward or can be identified as we believe he can support our enquiries."

The man is described as slim, between:- 5 ft 3 and 5 ft 7, and wearing:- a black sports; type cap, black shorts and a jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the RSPCA's Inspectorate appeal line on:- 03001238018, quoting reference number:- 01606191.

For more information about the RSPCA please visit:- more information, please visit:- RSPCA.Org.UK.

Fossil fuel vehicles to be dumped as Council goes electric

THE last polluting petrol and diesel Council vehicles are set to be taken off the road if the City's Cabinet approve funding to dump fossil-fuel vehicles and switch to electric. A proposal to secure capital funding needed to overhaul the Council's vehicle fleet and meet the Net Zero, target by:- 2030, will reviewed by the Cabinet on:- Tuesday, 16 September 2025. If approved, it will mark the end of Council vans and lorries polluting the City's air with fumes from internal combustion engines.

In 2019, the Council's own fleet, including:- subsidiary LSSL, emitted:- 2,314 tons of CO₂, representing:- 11.7% of the Council's total:- 19,820 tons of CO₂ output. The Council is also addressing the reduction of emissions across other areas, such as the launch of the new food waste collections and the decarbonisation of road as part of the ADEPT Live Labs project. And transitioning to low or zero-emission vehicles is an essential step toward eliminating this significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.

To achieve this transformation, the Council will:-

• Commit to replacing every eligible vehicle between:- 2026 and 2030 with an electric vehicle (EV), subject to availability and market delivery capacity.
  

• Secure capital for on-site EV charging infrastructure to ensure reliable, fast charging across all Council depots and offices.
  

• Transition existing non-EV vehicles and those not scheduled for renewal within this window to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), reducing lifecycle CO₂ emissions by up to 98% based on DESNEZ conversion factors.
  

• Install dedicated alternative fuel storage and dispensing facilities.

This phased approach will allow the Council to quickly deploy zero-emission, as well as maximise CO₂ reductions by switching to alternative fuels for the remainder of the fleet. By combining electrification with alternative fuels use, Liverpool City Council will neutralise its fleet's carbon footprint and strengthen its leadership in local climate action. The project is expected to cost:- £590,000.

Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:- "Achieving Net Zero by 2030 means tackling every significant source of emissions. This investment is a clear commitment to cleaner air for our communities, long-term savings for Taxpayers, and a greener legacy for future generations. It dovetails with other major projects we are undertaking to cut our emissions, such as including:- Council buildings in local heat networks, rolling out our new food waste collection service, and the decarbonisation of our cultural sector through the Accelerator City initiative. The Council is leading on a clear direction of travel for our City; 1 that will see Liverpool cleaner, greener and healthier than ever before."

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