A home for stray dogs is to close after Police Scotland and two local councils pulled funding.

The Bandeath Dog Shelter near Stirling looks likely to shut at the end of this year, though the local authority that runs it, Stirling Council, says no final decision has been taken.

Any strays left in it when the axe falls are expected to be transferred to charity centres.

The shelter, in the village of Throsk, has housed strays dogs and rehomed pets from across the Forth Valley since late 1980s.

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It was formerly funded by the former Central Scotland Police force, along with Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk councils.

Since Central Scotland Police was abolished, new national force Police Scotland has opted to discontinue funding, while Falkirk and Clackmannanshire councils have done the same, leaving Stirling to bear the shelter’s costs alone.

A Stirling Council spokeswoman said: “Bandeath Dog Shelter has been run in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council, Falkirk Council and Police Scotland for many years and, as such, is dependent on the commitment of all partners involved.

“Unfortunately, all of our partners have now given notice of their intention to withdraw from the partnership and we can confirm that this will take effect on December 31 this year.

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“Although no final decision has been reached regarding Bandeath, Stirling Council will ensure that we provide satisfactory arrangements for our stray dogs once the current arrangements end.”

The centre has been run over the years with the help of scores of volunteers, including youngsters on school placements, people from mental health project Open Door and helpers from the Prince’s Trust.

The shelter underwent a revamp in 2008 with new outdoor kennels being added at a cost of £20,000 to allow dogs the chance to enjoy fresh air during the day.

It is understood Stirling Council will scrap its dog warden and animal welfare officer posts and staff will be retrained as “enforcement officers”, covering issues such as dog fouling.

The council spokeswoman added: “The council has made the decision to pull the Safer Communities Service together, and the new enforcement officer role will now enhance all warden and animal control duties within a wider safer communities role, allowing for prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation.”